Digital Accessibility Knowledge Base

    overlapping-controls

    Overlapping interactive elements should have a sufficient hit area

    Who might be affected
    Motor/Mobility
    Low Vision

    Description

    This validation is related to the target size success criterion. When an interactive element does not have a sufficient hit area, significantly when it overlaps with other interactive elements, users with motor impairments such as hand tremors or visual impairments may have difficulty activating it or accidentally trigger the element overlapping it.

    Quick Fixes

    To meet the compliance requirements, the touch target should be at least 24 by 24 pixels; however, on mobile applications, it is highly recommended to aim for AAA requirement that is closer to the vendors' recommendations (i.e., the Apple Human Interface Guidelines and the Android's Accessibility Guidelines) and is aiming to 44 by 44

    How Users Are Affected

    People with motor disabilities like hand tremors or fine motor movement difficulties will find it challenging to use the UI properly and likely to develop frustration regarding the app and might even abandon its use.

    WCAG Success criteria

    This issue might cause elements to fail one or more of the following Success criteria:
    2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) (AA) | 2.5.5 Target Size (Enhanced) (AAA)