Input Exertion

The physical and cognitive effort required to provide input to a digital system, including keystrokes, mouse movements, taps, and voice commands. For people with motor impairments, input exertion is a critical accessibility concern because even small inefficiencies — such as extra keystrokes from inconsistent auto-correction, lack of predictive text, or the need to hold multiple keys simultaneously — accumulate into significant physical strain and fatigue. Reducing input exertion through features like word prediction, Sticky Keys, and voice input is essential for accessible interaction design.