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What constitutes an animation? Dealing with 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions (AAA)

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From: Gonzalo Silverio
Date: Apr 5, 2021 1:13PM

Hi all.

Looking for some guidance on how to interpret 2.3.3 Animation from
Interactions (AAA).

The guideline reads:

"Motion animation triggered by interaction can be disabled, unless the
animation is essential to the functionality or the information being
conveyed."

Motion animation is defined as "addition of steps between conditions to
create the illusion of movement or to give a sense of a smooth transition"

An example is provided:

"For example, an element which moves into place or changes size while
appearing is considered to be animated. An element which appears instantly
without transitioning is not using animation. Motion animation does not
include changes of color, blurring or opacity."

I do not find this very helpful. In the continuum that goes from a parallax
effect to a halo that appears when an element gains focus, where does it
stop being an obvious animation? Is a menu or an accordion that reveals
the contents with a slight animation when triggered an animation?

Thanks in advance.

Gonzalo Silverio
Digital Accessibility, Digital UX Team
Information and Technology Services
University of Michigan