Level AAWCAG 2.2

1.3.4 Orientation

Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation.

Why it matters

Wheelchair-mounted devices

A tablet mounted to a wheelchair cannot be rotated. It has to be usable while fixed in landscape.

Use while in bed

People who are bedridden or hospitalized may not be able to freely change the device orientation.

Stand-mounted devices

Devices fixed on a stand in a kitchen or workshop may be locked to a single orientation.

Motor impairment

For people who struggle to physically rotate a device, orientation restrictions become an operational barrier.

Live demo

Support for screen orientation

Portrait

My App

Image

Submit

Landscape

Please rotate to portrait

This app only works in portrait mode

Content cannot be used in landscape mode

Understand through a persona

Sato (45) — Spinal cord injury

A tablet is fixed in landscape on the armrest of his wheelchair. Apps that only work in portrait are unusable. 'My banking app is portrait-only, so every time I have to ask a family member.'

Checklist

Content is usable in both portrait and landscape orientationsThe CSS orientation media query is not used to force a specific orientationscreen.orientation.lock() is not used unnecessarily in JavaScriptOnly genuine exceptions (e.g. a piano app) require a specific orientationResponsive design supports both orientations

References

→ Understanding SC 1.3.4 (W3C)

→ Related: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships