2.5 Input Modalities · SC 2.5.4

A2 min read

Motion Actuation

Functionality operated by device motion or user motion can also be operated by standard user interface components, and motion-based operation can be disabled to prevent accidental actuation, except when the motion is essential or is used through an accessibility-supported interface.

In plain language

If a feature is triggered by shaking or tilting the device, there must also be a regular button or control that does the same thing, and a way to turn the motion trigger off.

Why it matters

People who can't hold or move their device in the required way (due to a physical disability, or because it's mounted on a wheelchair, for example) can't use motion-only features at all. Others may trigger them by accident just from normal handling.

In practice

Fails this criterion

An app undoes the last action whenever the device is shaken, with no on-screen "Undo" button and no setting to turn shake detection off.

Meets this criterion

The same app can still be shaken to undo, but also has a visible "Undo" button doing the exact same thing, and shake detection can be disabled in settings.

Test it yourself

Look for any feature that responds to shaking, tilting, or moving the device. Check whether there's also a standard on-screen control for it, and whether the motion trigger can be turned off.

Read SC 2.5.4 on the official WCAG 2.2 specification ↗