Fwd: Vertical vs. horizontal scrolling on a mobile device

Below is a message on the AG WG list that Low Vision Task Force folks might want to comment on. Note that you probably want to send your reply to:
 w3c-wai-gl@w3.org


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject:  Vertical vs. horizontal scrolling on a mobile device
Resent-Date:  Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:36:39 +0000
Resent-From:  w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
Date:  Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:36:06 +0000 (UTC)
From:  Mike Elledge <melledge@yahoo.com>
To:  WCAG List <w3c-wai-gl@w3.org>



Hi All--

I've tried searching the lists, but haven't found anything addressing this question.

When is horizontal scrolling more accessible than vertical scrolling on a *mobile device*? Always? Never? Sometimes?

For example, envision a vertically arrayed set of categories.  Touching each category heading causes an accordion to open, displaying a subset of items.

Is it better to have the subset appear horizontally, requiring horizontal swiping or touching, or is it better to have the subset appear vertically, requiring vertical swiping?

I know that horizontal scrolling on a desktop is to be avoided, but horizontal scrolling seems to be, from a design standpoint, acceptable on a mobile device, to limit the length of page.

What if the number of subitems arrayed vertically is quite long; is it permissible to have scrolling within the array?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike

Received on Thursday, 28 March 2019 20:34:01 UTC