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:
Locate the <meta> element.
Replace it by a manual button instead of auto-refreshing.
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.