• Success Criterion 3.3.8
  • Conformance level AA

Displayed Code Required to Be Retyped With Copying Disabled

3.3.8 — Accessible Authentication (Minimum)

Scenario

Setting

A public library's catalog search

What’s wrong

Requiring transcription of codes displayed in-page (type the characters you see) without copy support.

Example

Watch a public library's catalog search closely and you'll spot this: requiring transcription of codes displayed in-page (type the characters you see) without copy support.

Why it matters

People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste. Here, on a public library's catalog search, the result is they have to repeat a memory task they can't manage.

How to test

Check for a displayed code the user must retype (e.g., 'type the characters you see') with copy support disabled: if copying isn't possible, it fails.

How to fix

Login must work with paste and password managers — any cognitive test must have a non-cognitive alternative method.

Outcome

After the fix, the same visitor to a public library's catalog search can now sign in without a memory test.

Who is affected

People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste.

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