For this page, the term "distraction" refers to a number of Web page conventions which can interfere with a screen reader operation, keyboard operation or cause significant reading issues for people with multiple cognitive or neurological disorders.
Distractions include the following
- Videos playing automatically
- Continuous background audio
- Continuous slideshows, video presentations and animations (including animated GIFs)
- Scrolling text or text that disappears/changes
- Pop up ads
- Blinking objects/flashing lights
Some of the reasons these are issues are:
- Background audio and video can interfere with screen reader audio
- Text that changes too quickly may cause issues for someone not able to read it quickly enough
- Moving objects are distracting for most users, but particularly for anyone with attention-related disorders
- Blinking/flashes can induce seizures
WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.2—"Provide users enough time to read and use content."
WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.2.2 (Partial)—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 unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential.
WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.3—"Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures."