Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# F47: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.2 due to using the blink element

## Applicability

HTML and XHTML

This failure relates to:

- Success Criterion 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide)
  - How to Meet 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide)

## User Agent and Assistive Technology Support Notes

The `blink` element is not supported by Internet Explorer 6 on Windows. It is supported in Netscape/Mozilla family of user agents and Opera on Windows.

## Description

The `blink` element, while not part of the official HTML or XHTML specification, is supported by many user agents. It causes any text inside the element to blink at a predetermined rate. This cannot be interrupted by the user, nor can it be disabled as a preference. The blinking continues as long as the page is displayed. Therefore, content that uses `blink` fails the Success Criterion because blinking can continue for more than three seconds.

## Examples

### Failure Example 1

A product list page uses the `blink` element to draw attention to sale prices. This fails the Success Criterion because users cannot control the blink.

Example Code:

    <p>My Great Product <blink>Sale! $44,995!</blink></p>

## Tests

### Procedure

1. Examine code for the presence of the `blink` element.

### Expected Results

- If #1 is true, the content fails the Success Criterion.

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