WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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Re: Rotating images (javascript)

for

From: Vincent Young
Date: Oct 28, 2011 4:36PM

"Animation or other moving elements on a web page can be distracting to
all users. Even simple animation can render a web page completely
inaccessible to users with certain cognitive disabilities or high levels
of distractibility. Animation should generally be avoided."

I wouldn't take this too far... completely removing any moving pixel on the
screen. Rotating images can be helpful, intuitive, and informative. I would
look into Bryan's implementation where the user is given the ability to
start/stop the animation:

http://www.whatsock.com <http://www.whatsock.com%20>;

In current screen readers, the likely hood that a continuous animation will
cause a hiccup is not something I would worry about int he case of simple
rotating images.

"If it *is* OK to use such a script, is it OK to use null alt text, since
the info about the various groups served will appear elsewhere on the page?"

Depends... Would need to look at how this is implemented.





On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 3:10 PM, Jan Heck < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Just got the WebAIM newsletter with the following quick tip:
>
> "Animation or other moving elements on a web page can be distracting to
> all users. Even simple animation can render a web page completely
> inaccessible to users with certain cognitive disabilities or high levels
> of distractibility. Animation should generally be avoided."
>
>
> My question is this: A disability services agency who has asked my help in
> checking the accessibility of their not-yet-built new site has an element
> in the design that concerns me. In the masthead, top of page, they want to
> place an area for rotating images--essentially, icons that represent the
> various services they offer or the various disability groups they serve
> (can't remember which). The Web designer plans to implement this feature
> via Javascript. This is not the only place this information will be
> available on the page, so it's more for visual interest. I was told in the
> past that when images rotate or change on a page, it can cause some
> screenreaders to hiccup and maybe even start reading the page over again
> from the top. I don't know if that's correct or if I'm remembering it
> correctly.
>
> Other than the distraction element mentioned in the newsletter quick tip,
> are there additional good reasons why this rotating image area should not
> be implemented? Does it cause any problems for screenreaders or for any
> other assistive software?
>
> If it *is* OK to use such a script, is it OK to use null alt text, since
> the info about the various groups served will appear elsewhere on the page?
>
> Thanks for any insight into this issue!
>
> Jan Heck
>
>
>