Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# F40: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.1 and 2.2.4 due to using meta redirect with a time limit

## Applicability

All pages

This failure relates to:

- Success Criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable)
  - How to Meet 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable)
- Success Criterion 2.2.4 (Interruptions)
  - How to Meet 2.2.4 (Interruptions)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 2.2.4 (Interruptions)

## Description

`meta` `http-equiv` of {time-out}; url=... is often used to automatically redirect users. When this occurs after a time delay, it is an unexpected change of context that may interrupt the user.

It is acceptable to use the `meta` element to create a redirect when the time-out is set to zero, since the redirect is instant and will not be perceived as a change of context. However, it is preferable to use server-side methods to accomplish this. See SVR1: Implementing automatic redirects on the server side instead of on the client side (SERVER) .

## Examples

### Failure Example 1

The page below is a failure because it will redirect to the URI http://www.example.com/newpage after a time limit of 5 seconds.

Example Code:

    <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
       <head>
          <title>Do not use this!</title>
          <meta http-equiv="refresh"
          content="5; url=http://www.example.com/newpage" />
       </head>
       <body>
          <p>
             If your browser supports Refresh, you'll be
             transported to our
             <a href="http://www.example.com/newpage">new site</a>
             in 5 seconds, otherwise, select the link manually.
          </p>
       </body>
    </html>

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

- HTML 4.01 META element

## Tests

### Procedure

1. View a page.

2. Check that the page does not redirect after a time-out.

### Expected Results

1. #2 is true.

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