Inappropriate Refresh Meta Element Check

Description

The “Inappropriate Refresh Meta Element Check” evaluates whether there is any <meta http-equiv="refresh"> element used to trigger automatic page refresh or redirection after a specified time.

Example outcome

I observed that the webpage reloads automatically through the <meta http-equiv=\"refresh\"> element.

Impact

• Visual Impairments: Screen reader users may not be able to read or interact with content before it’s refreshed. May not hear the full content before the page changes.
• Motor Impairments: If navigating with switches, voice, or other AT, users may be unable to act quickly enough before the change occurs.
• Cognitive Disabilities: People with cognitive disabilities may lose focus or become disoriented when a page reloads or redirects without warning. They can lose progress on forms or lose track of context.

Fixes

To address inappropriate auto-refresh <meta> elements:

1. Locate the <meta> element.
2. Replace it by a manual button instead of auto-refreshing.
3. If you wish to keep the auto-refresh, make sure it is immediate (i.e., with no delay) and provide information to users, allowing them to control it.

Resources

• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criteria 2.2.1
• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criteria 2.2.4
• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criteria 3.2.5
• WCAG 2.2 Techniques: Technique F41: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.1, 2.2.4, and 3.2.5 due to using meta refresh to reload the page
• WebAIM: Accessible JavaScript