Professor Michael Tildesley | Science Council

Appendix 4 | Science Council

8th Open Meeting - 3rd December 2020 | Science Council

6th Open Meeting - 17 December 2019 | Science Council

Science Council annual report 2020-2021 | Science Council

Background and introduction | Science Council

Appendix 1 | Science Council

Mrs Jacqueline Healing | Science Council

Appendix 2 | Science Council

Professor Tom Oliver | Science Council

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

October 2025

September 2025

Science Council

	Title / URL	Issues
	Professor Michael Tildesley \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/ProfessorMichaelTildesley	1
	Appendix 4 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Appendix4	1
	8th Open Meeting - 3rd December 2020 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/8thmeeting	1
	6th Open Meeting - 17 December 2019 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/6thmeeting	1
	Science Council annual report 2020-2021 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/sciencecouncilannualreport2021	1
	Background and introduction \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Background%20and%20introduction	1
	Appendix 1 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Appendix1	1
	Mrs Jacqueline Healing \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Mrs%20Jacqueline%20Healing	1
	Appendix 2 \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Appendix2	1
	Professor Tom Oliver \| Science Councilscience-council.food.gov.uk/Professor%20Tom%20Oliver	1

Ensure interactive components are far enough apart

Science Council

Where this issue has occurred