- Success Criterion 2.2.1
- Conformance level A
- W3C reference F41
Page That Auto-Reloads and Resets the User’s Position
2.2.1 — Timing Adjustable
Scenario
Setting
A subscription box service's account settings
What’s wrong
The page auto-reloads itself on a timer — screen reader and keyboard users lose their place every time it refreshes.
Example
A subscription box service's account settings shows the problem clearly: the page auto-reloads itself on a timer — screen reader and keyboard users lose their place every time it refreshes.
Why it matters
People who read, type, or move slowly, including many screen-reader users. Here, on a subscription box service's account settings, the result is they lose their place when content moves unexpectedly.
How to test
Check the page source for a meta refresh reloading the page periodically: this fails if it happens without user-initiated control.
How to fix
Remove the periodic meta refresh — update content via user action or a polite live region (code that makes screen readers announce updates) instead.
Outcome
After the fix, the same visitor to a subscription box service's account settings can now keep up without being rushed or interrupted.
Who is affected
People who read, type, or move slowly, including many screen-reader users.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Page Auto-Redirects on a Timer With No Way to Stop It
- Server Redirect Timeout With No Warning or Way to Extend It
- Session Expiring With No Warning and No Way to Extend It
- Session Warning That Gives Users Less Than 20 Seconds to Respond
- Session Extension Allowed Fewer Than the Required 10 Times
- Timeout Adjustment Option Set Below the Required 10x Default