Guide to Guideline 2.2 Level 1 Success Criterion 1

• Content is designed so that time-outs are not an essential part of interaction, or at least one of the following is true for each time-out that is a function of the content: [I]

  • the user is allowed to deactivate the time-out or;

  • the user is allowed to adjust the time-out over a wide range which is at least ten times the length of the default setting or;

  • the user is warned before time expires, allowed to extend the time-out with a simple action (for example, "hit any key") and given at least 20 seconds to respond or;

  • the time-out is an important part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time-out is possible or;

  • the time-out is part of an activity where timing is essential (for example, competitive gaming or time-based testing) and time limits can not be extended further without invalidating the activity.

2.2 L1 SC1

Key terms and important concepts

activity where timing is essential

An activity where timing is essential is an activity where timing is part of the design of the activity. Removal of the time element would change the performance of the participants. Versions of the activity (e.g. test) that have no time basis or time-outs might be preferred and may be required for some venues but this would require a complete redesign of the activity (e.g. test) and may change the character and validation methodology and would therefore not fall under these guidelines.