Spotlight 12

Flashes 

(WCAG 2.3.1 & 2.3.2)

Let's talk about flashy content. 



WCAG criteria about flashes

There are two WCAG standards about safety and preventing people with photosensitive epilepsy from having seizures. But also people with an attention deficit disorder can benefit from limiting flashing content.


According to WCAG 2.3.1: Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level A), you shouldn’t include any content that flashes more than three times a second unless the flashes fall below a defined threshold. However, WCAG 2.3.2: Three Flashes (Level AAA) does not allow more than three flashes a second, even if these are below the threshold.


In general, it is safer and more recommended to avoid flashes whenever possible. To comply, avoid using text and animations that create a flickering effect or using blinking effects alongside texts. And, as with animations and other effects, give people the possibility to pause, stop or hide this kind of content.

WCAG 2.3.1 vs 2.3.2. 
WCAG 2.3.1: Three Flashes or Below Threshold (A) says there should be no more than 3 flashes a second - unless the flash is below a threshold. The threshold is determined by the flash’s size, luminance and red content. WCAG 2.3.2: Three Flashes (AAA) says there should be no more than 3 flashes a second.  The image ends with the LCA Spotlight logo.
WCAG 2.3.1 vs 2.3.2.

Resources:

Discussion questions:

Get Involved: Come to the LCA Spotlight LinkedIn group and join the conversation.

When you post in the community, use the hashtag #LCASpotlightFlashes

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