WCAG 2.1 SC 3.2.5: Change on Request (Level AAA)
3.2.5 Change on Request (Level AAA) — what it requires, a common failure example, and how to fix it. Part of WCAG 2.1's 3.2 Predictable guideline under the Understandable principle.
WCAG 2.1 guidelines hub → Understandable → 3.2 Predictable
3.2.5 Change on Request (Level AAA)
Predictable is about not surprising the user. Interfaces should behave consistently, and nothing should move focus or change context without the user asking it to — this matters enormously for screen-reader and switch-device users, who lose their place entirely when something changes unexpectedly.
This page is educational technical reference material, not legal advice. Meeting WCAG 2.1 does not by itself determine legal compliance with the ADA or any other law — consult qualified counsel for legal risk questions.
Plain-language explanation: Context changes (new windows, focus jumps, automatic redirects) should only happen when the user explicitly asks for them, or the user should be able to turn automatic ones off.
Common failure: A “recently viewed” carousel auto-advances and pulls keyboard focus toward it every few seconds while a user is trying to read the product description next to it.
Remediation: Remove automatic focus-stealing behavior entirely, or make it user-triggered and give it a persistent pause/stop control.
In this guideline — 3.2 Predictable: 3.2.1 On Focus (A) · 3.2.2 On Input (A) · 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (AA) · 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA) · 3.2.5 Change on Request (AAA)
← Previous: 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA)
↑ Back to the Understandable overview · Full WCAG 2.1 wiki
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This page is educational content about technical accessibility practice, not legal advice. Meeting WCAG 2.1 does not guarantee legal compliance with the ADA or any other law. Consult qualified counsel for legal risk questions.
This page was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person for accuracy before publication.