Timing Adjustable

About

Version:	WCAG 2.0 and up
Number:	2.2.1
Level:	A
Applicability:	Forms Interactive Content
Requirement:	For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true: Turn off The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or Adjust The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or Extend The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or Real-time Exception The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or Essential Exception The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or 20 Hour Exception The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
Guidance:	Understanding Success Criterion 2.2.1 How to meet Success Criterion 2.2.1
Techniques:	G4: Allowing the content to be paused and restarted from where it was paused G133: Providing a checkbox on the first page of a multipart form that allows users to ask for longer session time limit or no session time limit G180: Providing the user with a means to set the time limit to 10 times the default time limit G198: Providing a way for the user to turn the time limit off SCR1: Allowing the user to extend the default time limit SCR16: Providing a script that warns the user a time limit is about to expire SCR33: Using script to scroll content, and providing a mechanism to pause it SCR36: Providing a mechanism to allow users to display moving, scrolling, or auto-updating text in a static window or area

Purpose

The purpose of this success criterion is to ensure that users have enough time to interact with the content.

How to Meet

Authors need to ensure that users can control time limits that would prevent them from completing a task, when the time limit is not essential.

Users should be able to turn off time limits, adjust the time limit to a new preference before beginning, or easily extend the time limit when it is about to expire.

In most cases with digital publications, time limits are not essential to the content. They are more prevalent on the web, where they are used, for example, to end user sessions for security reasons or prevent users from blocking access to products for sale. The rare exception may occur in educational works if a test requires specific timing.

Additional Information

The following knowledge base pages provide more information about how to address this success criterion for publishing content:

Timers