Institute Advancement | Rensselaer Giving

Rensselaer Events Calendar

Apply | Undergraduate Admissions

Human Resources | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

School of Engineering | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

RPI Lally School of Management | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

| Office of the Registrar

Martin A. Schmidt '81, Ph.D. | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Visit | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Access denied | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

All interactive components on a page, such as buttons or menus, should be far enough apart 
from other interactive areas, to avoid them being used by mistake. 

This ensures people with motor impairments can easily click or tap on the right element.

## How to fix

* Ensure all interactive elements are at least 24 CSS pixels wide and tall
* OR ensure there is at least 24 CSS pixels (minus the width and height of the element)
  between each interactive element

## Methodology

This check is run on both the mobile and desktop versions of every page. Results
for each may differ.

1. All interactive elements are identified, including buttons, links, and form controls.
2. If an element is not normally visible, it is ignored. This includes elements which
   are positioned offscreen or cropped (e.g. for 'screen-reader only' text).
3. If an element is larger than 24 CSS pixels in both dimensions, it passes.
4. Otherwise, the element is compared to all other elements on the page.
5. The minimum horizontal gap between the element is calculated as 24 CSS pixels,  
   minus the width of the element.
6. The minimum vertical gap between the element is calculated as 24 CSS pixels,  
   minus the height of the element.
7. If another element falls within the minimum horizontal or vertical gap, the 
   element fails, unless both are links that point to the same place.

## Further reading

* [Target Size (Minimum)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/target-size-minimum.html)
* [Technique C42 - Using min-height and min-width to ensure sufficient target spacing](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Techniques/css/C42)

ensure-minimum-target-size

March 2026

February 2026

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Title / URL	Issues
Institute Advancement \| Rensselaer Givinggiving.rpi.edu/	16
Rensselaer Events Calendarevents.rpi.edu/cal/main/showEventList.rdo	13
Apply \| Undergraduate Admissionsundergrad.admissions.rpi.edu/apply	12
Human Resources \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutehr.rpi.edu/	12
School of Engineering \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Instituteeng.rpi.edu/	12
RPI Lally School of Management \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutelally.rpi.edu/	12
\| Office of the Registrarregistrar.rpi.edu/academic-calendar	12
Martin A. Schmidt '81, Ph.D. \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutepresident.rpi.edu/	12
Visit \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutewww.rpi.edu/visit	4
Access denied \| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutewww.rpi.edu/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion	4

Ensure interactive components are far enough apart

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Where this issue has occurred