• Success Criterion 3.3.8
  • Conformance level AA

Puzzle CAPTCHA Gating Login With No Alternative Method

3.3.8 — Accessible Authentication (Minimum)

Scenario

Setting

An e-book reader's library page

What’s wrong

Puzzle CAPTCHAs (rotate image, slide to fit, math problems) gating login with no alternative.

Example 

<div class="slider-captcha">Slide the puzzle piece to fit the gap</div>
<!-- required before every login, no alternative offered -->

Why it matters

A reader with a motor disability who can't perform a precise slide gesture is locked out of their own purchased library.

How to test

Attempt to log in: if a puzzle CAPTCHA (rotate image, slide to fit, solve math) blocks the flow with no alternative, it fails.

How to fix

Drop the puzzle challenge from login entirely, or pair it with a genuinely equivalent non-puzzle path like a code sent by email.

<!-- puzzle CAPTCHA removed from login; rate limiting and device checks handle abuse instead -->
<label for="password">Password</label>
<input id="password" type="password" autocomplete="current-password">

Outcome

The reader logs in with their password alone and opens their library without wrestling a slider.

Who is affected

People with motor disabilities and cognitive disabilities who cannot reliably perform a drag-to-fit puzzle interaction.

Learn more

Related scenarios