PRINCIPLE 2: OPERABLE

The content and functionality have no time limits or options to turn off, adjust, or extend

Some people require more time than others to complete a task. For example, it generally takes people with physical disabilities or vision impairments more time to complete a web form than people with fast typing skills and perfect vision. Given this diversity among people, it’s difficult to predict how much time to allow for a given task. However, if security concerns or other factors require a time limit to be enforced, it’s important to be sure users are warned in advance before the time limit expires and offered an opportunity to extend their time.

Best practice

How to accessibly manage time

The following are among the techniques recommended by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 :

  • Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it
  • Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting
  • Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, “press the space bar”), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times

Extended Time on Tests

Qualified students with disabilities sometimes receive extended time on tests as an accommodation arranged through Disability Resources for Students. For steps on how to grant extended time for a particular student within Canvas, see the Canvas Guide Once I publish a timed quiz, how can I give my students extra time?

additional guidance

References and useful links