Section 508 Review

Section 508 (j)

Do not use marquee or blink elements or Javascript elements that cause flickering

Similar Standards

• W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
  Guideline 2.3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 1.0)
  7.1 Until user agents allow users to control flickering, avoid causing the screen to flicker. [Priority 1]

Example:

Consider the Marquee element below

Original/Actual Website:

Now imagine you only have to use your elbow to locate and click link to go the CSUN Home Page

Example:

Perceived Application:

As you have seen it is very difficult to click on the link. Also, looking at an image/text element that blinks constantly is not good for the eyes. Hence, marquee or blink elements or javascripts that produce effects similar to them should be avoided

Example:

Improved Website:

CSUN Home

A simple link should suffice as shown above. A CSS can be used to improve the visual look for the link. Care should be taken that the CSS works visually. Use the Color Contrast Analyzer to see whether the CSS works visually.

Wave errors related to Section 508 j

Icon	Title	Description	Recommended Actions
	ERROR: Marquee	A <marquee> element is present.	Eliminate the <marquee> element. It is not standards-compliant HTML and causes accessibility issues.
	ERROR: Blinking content	The <blink> element is present.	Remove all distracting blinking content.