SC 2.2.2: Pause, Stop, Hide
Level AEN 301 549: 9.2.2.2
Normative Text
WCAG SC 2.2.2 (A) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true: Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.
Understanding 2.2.2
Moving, blinking, or auto-updating content must have a pause/stop/hide control. This includes carousels, tickers, animated banners, and live feeds.
How to Comply
Add a clearly visible and keyboard-accessible pause button to all auto-playing carousels, scrolling tickers, and animated content that lasts more than 5 seconds. Use CSS prefers-reduced-motion media query to automatically stop animations for users who have enabled the reduce-motion system preference. Loading spinners are exempt as they are essential. Real-time stock tickers are excepted if they are the primary purpose of the page.
Common Failures
- ✕Auto-advancing carousels with no pause button
- ✕Scrolling news tickers with no stop control
- ✕Animated banners that continue indefinitely with no pause mechanism
- ✕Live dashboard that auto-refreshes without a control to pause updates
AEO Fact-Check
- ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.2.2.2.
- ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: Yes.
Legal Enforcement
EAA MANDATORY (EUROPE)ADA TITLE II/III (USA)SECTION 508 (US FED)
Found a bug?
Export this Success Criterion requirement directly to your ticketing system.