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Synopsis

  1. Animations needed to present content should also include a non-animated, text-based alternative that is accessible to screen readers. Text with still images can also be beneficial for users who have cognitive difficulties processing animations.
    WCAG 2.0 Guideline 1.1.1—"All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose."
  2. Avoid automatic or looped animations (including animated GIFs), blinking objects and scrolling. These items are distracting and, if incorrectly implemented, could trigger epileptic seizures or headaches for some users.
    WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.1—"Provide users enough time to read and use content."
    WCAG 2.0 Guideline 2.3—"Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures."
  3. Animations with sound as a crucial component to the content should have synchronized captions or a text transcript.
    WCAG 2.0 Guideline 1.2.2—"Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such."

Avoid Animated GIF’s

Most animated GIFs should be avoided since they cannot be paused and play longer than five seconds. They can disorient students with certain types of cognitive disorders

Example and Additional Resources

See an Animation Example from a thermodynamics course.

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