Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# G60: Playing a sound that turns off automatically within three seconds

## Applicability

Applies to all technologies except those for voice interaction.

This technique relates to:

- Success Criterion 1.4.2 (Audio Control)
  - How to Meet 1.4.2 (Audio Control)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.2 (Audio Control)

## Description

The purpose of this technique is to allow authors to play a sound on their Web page but avoid the problem of users not being able to use their screen readers due to interference by the content sound. It also allows the author to avoid putting controls on the Web page to control the sound - and the problem faced by users with screen readers in finding the control (when unable to hear their screen reader).

The technique is simple. The sound plays for 3 or less seconds and stops automatically.

## Examples

- Example 1: A Web page opens with a trumpet fanfare and then goes silent

- Example 2: A homepage opens with the chairman saying "Binfor, where quality is our business." then going silent.

- Example 3: A Web page opens with instructions on how to get started: "To begin, press the enter key."

- Example 4: A Web page opens with a warning and then goes silent.

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

(none)

## Related Techniques

- G170: Providing a control near the beginning of the Web page that turns off sounds that play automatically
- G171: Playing sounds only on user request

## Tests

### Procedure

1. Load the Web page

2. Check that all sound that plays automatically stops in 3 seconds or less

### Expected Results

- #2 is true

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