[css-mediaqueries] expose user left/right hand preference

[nico3333fr]

Usually, an app/website design will place main CTAs at a place that can be reached easily on a smartphone using the thumb. Usually on the bottom right, however, this could be problematic for left-handed people.

Idea

It would be nice to have the possiblity to adapt websites/apps depending on left/right handed user preference @media prefers-hand: right/left/no-preference (default), which would allow to easily customize interfaces.

Example

.mySuperCTA {
  position: fixed;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
}

@media prefers-hand: right {
  .mySuperCTA {
    right: auto;
    left: 0;
  }
}

Ressources

• https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/02/comprehensive-guide-to-mobile-app-design/ (also source for images)

[tabatkins]

Is this information actually collected by mobile devices? From my experience, this has been a per-app setting.

[Malvoz]

Such a feature aligns well with the goals of WAI Personalization.

[brechtDR]

This should get some more attention for sure! It could be beneficial for accessibility for left handed people or in worst-case, people who are forced to use their left hand.

[tabatkins]

My earlier question stands: is this information actually collected by the OS, and/or do we have browsers planning to collect it themselves? If so, exposing it is fine and reasonable; the use-cases make complete sense. If not, then this info simply isn't available for us to expose.

[rigiddesign]

This would be amazing. I agree with @tabatkins, though it would be best if this could be defined at the OS level, however, it exiting would at least allow developers to implement it into their own application

[Crissov]

This reminds me of the tip unit from #614 #837.

[tabatkins]

@rigiddesign No, my question was "where is the data coming from?". If the data doesn't exist (either at the OS or browser level), we can't expose it.

@Crissov I cannot see any connection between this and tip.

[rigiddesign]

@tabatkins, ah. Well then, no. Not as far as I am aware. A user preference at the OS level would be amazing, just like you can specify your light / dark preference.

My previous statement stands, though. If it existed as a media query, though, it would mean developers could at least build it into their own app.

[zim32]

I don't understand why this is still not implemented feature. For example i am left handed and for me it will be very nice to specify on the browser that o am left handed and ui will match my preference. This is left handed discrimination

[c0debabe]

I'm so happy to see that someone else has thought of this. I think it's a great idea if it can be implemented.