Operable Solutions
Operable solutions focus on correct presentation of TIMED content and clear NAVIGATION. These guidelines are very relevant for marketing, covering the crucial issues of flashing content, purposeful link names, headings, and lists.
VISUALLY-SAFE, USER-CONTROLLED CONTENT
DEFINITION
WCAG states that "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. To avoid seizures or physical reactions, content should not contain more than three flashes per second."
TIPS
- If you present moving content, the user must be able to control playback - even on social media.
- Applies to videos, image carousels and even images that zoom or change perspective.
- When considering creating safe, non-seizure inducing content, don't assume that a warning at the beginning will guarantee compliance.
TESTING THE PAUSE, STOP, HIDE REQUIREMENT
On a page with moving or scrolling content, all of the following must be possible to meet this criterion.
- Check that a mechanism is provided in the Web page or user agent to pause moving or scrolling content.
- Use the pause mechanism to pause the moving or scrolling content.
- Check that the moving or scrolling has stopped and does not restart by itself.
- Check that a mechanism is provided in the Web page or user agent to restart the paused content.
- Use the restart mechanism provided to restart the moving content.
- Check that the movement or scrolling has resumed from the point where it was stopped.
real-world application
When a viewer went to see the movie Incredibles 2 in the theater, they were shocked by how problematic certain scenes would be for their photosensitive friends. Click the first image below for the original tweet.
NOTE: read the first shown comment on this tweet to see bias in full display - the commenter thinks if you're photosensitive you shouldn't have equal access to movie theaters. The correct attitude is to make the entertainment fully accessible so that all have access.
