One-Handed Use
Persona: Aaliyah
Aaliyah, 29, Black, lives in a transitional housing program with her toddler. Often uses her phone one-handed while managing her child and household finances simultaneously.
About This Condition
Holding a phone while managing a child, an injury, or a physical task is a daily reality for many people. Interfaces that require two-handed gestures or simultaneous inputs create barriers for anyone operating with one hand, permanently or situationally.
Digital Challenges
Pinch-to-zoom, two-finger swipe, and interactions requiring simultaneous touch inputs all fail when only one hand is available. Navigation elements clustered at the top of a screen become unreachable during single-handed mobile use. Tasks designed for two hands create unnecessary friction for a very large portion of everyday users.
Assistive Technologies
- Voice control
- switch access
- keyboard navigation
Design Considerations
Place primary actions within the lower thumb zone on mobile. Size all touch targets to minimum 44x44px. Ensure every interaction has a single-tap alternative and avoid requiring simultaneous touch inputs at any point in the flow.
Clinical Examples
Situational context. Also associated with hemiplegia, stroke recovery, and limb difference.