2.5.6: Concurrent Input Mechanisms

What it means

Content must not restrict input to one modality when multiple are available. Do not disable keyboard when touch is detected, or block mouse when speech is used.

Users may switch between keyboard, mouse, touch, and voice.

How to fix it

• Allow keyboard and pointer input interchangeably on the same page.
• Do not show “touch only” overlays on hybrid laptop-tablet devices.
• Test switching from mouse to keyboard mid-task without reload.
• Avoid scripts that ignore keyboard events after touch use.

Quick examples

• Good: A tablet user can complete a form with touch or an attached keyboard.
• Bad: After first touch, the site hides keyboard focus styles and ignores Tab.
• Good: Drawing and typing inputs work on the same canvas control.
• Bad: Mobile mode removes all keyboard shortcuts from a responsive web app.