Interaction metaphor

A conceptual mapping that allows users to understand and interact with a digital interface by drawing on familiar experiences or mental models. Common examples include the desktop metaphor (files, folders, trash can), direct manipulation (dragging objects), and the page metaphor (scrolling, bookmarks). In accessibility, the choice of interaction metaphor is critical because many dominant metaphors are inherently visual, creating barriers for users who cannot perceive visual representations. An accessible approach requires that interaction metaphors be selectable and adaptable based on user capabilities, mapping content meaning to the most appropriate metaphor within the user's available design spaces (visual, sonic, or haptic) rather than forcing all users to navigate through a single visual metaphor set.