Introduction to Moving Content

Summary

Carousels on a news site, scrolling marquees with the latest weather, strobing lights in movies, and animated transitions in slide presentations are examples of moving content. Motion, animation, and flashing are common in digital content, but they create barriers for many people.

Individuals who are photosensitive, have vestibular disorders, or have cognitive and learning disabilities can be severely affected by moving content. It can also create difficulties for keyboard and screen reader users.

Flashing content should be avoided due to the severity of its impact. Other types of motion should only be used when necessary and must always be user-controlled.

Overview

Any animation or moving content that cannot be paused or stopped reduces the effectiveness of other content by constantly distracting attention. For some individuals, this makes content unusable. For others, certain types of movement can cause anxiety, nausea, headaches, or seizures.

The most severe effects of changing content come from flashing effects in animations and videos. Individuals have required hospitalization due to flashing content. While color, area, and timing adjustments can reduce risk, the safest recommendation is to avoid all flashing content.

The most effective way to reduce the impact of other types of motion and animation is to limit their use. When moving content is required, reduce negative impact by:

• Having all motion initially disabled.
• Limiting the duration, complexity, and speed of movement or animation.
• Giving individuals options to control on-screen movement.
  • Users must be able to pause, stop, or hide all moving content.
• Honoring system settings when users request reduced motion.

Who Is Helped

Flashing and moving content can present serious difficulties for people who are photosensitive or have vestibular disorders. The effects can range from anxiety, nausea, and headaches to seizures.

When individuals cannot pause or stop moving content, it becomes highly distracting.

• For people with cognitive and learning disabilities, such as attention deficit disorders, movement can divert attention from other information.
• Certain types of motion can cause anxiety, nausea, headaches, or seizures.
• Moving content can create barriers for keyboard users.
• Animations that convey information can cause difficulties for screen reader users.
• People who struggle with scanning text or tracking moving objects may have difficulty understanding moving content.