Timed Events – Accessibility Guidelines
Table of Contents
Timing Adjustable #
For each time limit that is set by the content, at least ONE of the following is true:
- Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or
- Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or
- Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, “press the space bar”), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or
- Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or
- Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or
- 20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
Content/Design Considerations
- Time limits are permitted, but users must have the ability to adjust them.
Pause, Stop, Hide #
For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, ALL of the following are true:
- Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and
- Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.
Failure to meet this requirement could interfere with any use of the page. Refer to Requirement 5 – Non-Interference to learn more.
Content/Design Considerations
- Best Practice: Do not use content that automatically moves, blinks, or scrolls.
- Auto-updates to content must be user configurable.
Audio Control #
If any audio on a web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.
Failure to meet this requirement could interfere with any use of the page. Refer to Requirement 5 – Non-Interference to learn more.
Content/Design Considerations
- Best Practice: Do not play any audio content automatically.
Development Considerations
- Best Practice: Ensure that mechanism to control the content is easy to locate, is keyboard operable, and is clearly labelled as to its purpose.