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Operable · Input Modalities

WCAG 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms

AAA only: content does not restrict input to a single method (touch-only, mouse-only), so visitors can switch between pointer, keyboard and voice as needed.

2.5.6 Level AAA Added in WCAG 2.1 Needs manual review

Anton StewartAuthor
Reviewed against the W3C Understanding document
Illustration: the universal access symbol, with WCAG 2.5.6 and Concurrent Input Mechanisms
Table of contents

What WCAG 2.5.6 Requires

AAA only: content does not restrict input to a single method (touch-only, mouse-only), so visitors can switch between pointer, keyboard and voice as needed.

How to Test It by Hand

Try switching input methods mid-task and confirm the site continues to work.

Common Failures

  • A component only listens for touch events and ignores mouse or keyboard input entirely.

Testing WCAG 2.5.6 With AccessBell

This criterion depends on meaning or context, so it needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it is not missed.

Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WCAG 2.5.6 require?

AAA only: content does not restrict input to a single method (touch-only, mouse-only), so visitors can switch between pointer, keyboard and voice as needed.

Can AccessBell test WCAG 2.5.6 automatically?

Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.

What level is WCAG 2.5.6?

Level AAA, added in WCAG 2.1. Level AAA is the highest, most demanding conformance level in WCAG.

Sources

This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.

About the Author

Anton StewartAuthor

Contributor, AccessBell

Anton Stewart writes and reviews accessibility guides for the AccessBell blog, checked against the W3C standards and other primary sources.

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