Module 7: Checkpoint 4—User control
| Conformance: Mandatory |
Requirements
Videos must not automatically play on page load.
When inactive, videos must display a still image extracted from the video.
Users must have full access to video controls at all times including: play, pause, fast forward, rewind, volume, full screen (if available), captions, audio description.
Benefits of conformance
- Users are empowered to opt in to download or view the video.
- Ensures universal access to online video content.
- Access for users on assistive technologies.
Risks of non-conformance
- User frustration and reverse channel migration.
- Reduced accessibility for some users of assistive technology.
- Poor user experience.
Implementation advice
More information
Websites must display video in a way that allows the user to control the experience.
Because screen readers navigate by listening, playing audio automatically when landing on a page may affect the screen reader user's ability to find the mechanism to stop it. Automatically started sounds may interfere with that navigation. Therefore, the practice of automatically starting sounds (especially if they last more than 3 seconds) is discouraged. Instead the sound should be started by an action initiated by the user after they reach the page. This ensures the user remains in control of the online experience.