- 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
<!-- Login requires solving an image CAPTCHA, no alternative -->Why it matters
People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste.
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.
<!-- Login uses email + password, or a passkey, with no puzzle/transcription step -->Authentication can't rely solely on solving a puzzle or transcription task with no cognitive-function-test alternative.
Outcome
On a public library's catalog search, this barrier is gone for people with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste — they no longer have to work around this.
Who is affected
People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Password Field That Blocks Pasting or Splits the Code Up
- Password Field Scripted to Block Paste Entirely
- Password Manager Autofill Blocked by the Login Form
- Visual CAPTCHA Required With No Non-Visual Alternative
- Puzzle CAPTCHA Gating Login With No Alternative Method
- One-Time Code Split Into Boxes That Reject a Pasted Code