Operable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 2.2.4: Interruptions
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
At Level AAA, users can postpone or suppress interruptions except those involving an emergency. Reading and task completion should not be repeatedly displaced by nonessential messages.
A practical example
A support chat prompt opens while a visitor fills a long form. Provide a preference that postpones the prompt or keeps it closed, while allowing the visitor to open help when wanted.
How to check it
- Inventory pop-ups, reminders, invitations and other interruptions during normal tasks.
- Find and operate controls that suppress or postpone each nonemergency interruption.
- Continue through the task long enough to verify that the interruption respects the chosen setting.
What can be missed
A marketing deadline does not make a message an emergency. Notifications should be designed so that disabling interruption does not remove a user's ability to find the information later.
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.