Flashing Content
Flashing Content
Flashing content refers to any visual element on a screen that flickers, flashes, or rapidly changes in brightness or color. This can include animations, videos, advertisements, or any other on-screen effects. In the context of digital accessibility, flashing content poses a seizure risk for individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.
Why is it a risk?
Flashing lights or patterns can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, especially if the content:
- Flashes more than three times per second.
- Involves high-contrast flashes, especially between light and dark.
- Covers a significant portion of the viewing area.
Guidelines to Minimize Risk
According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), to avoid triggering seizures:
- Do not use flashing content that flashes more than three times per second, unless the flashes are of low contrast or the area is small enough to avoid triggering a seizure.
- Provide warnings before any flashing content plays, allowing users to skip or stop it.
- Test flashing content using tools designed to check for seizure risks, like the Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT).
Best Practices
- Use transitions or animations that are smooth and slow rather than rapid flashes.
- Avoid bright, high-contrast color combinations that rapidly alternate.
- Provide controls to pause, stop, or hide animations or flashing elements.