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# 3.2.5 Change on Request

- Level: AAA
- Guideline: 3.2 Predictable
- Principle: 3 Understandable

## What it is

Changes of context are initiated only by user request or a mechanism is available to turn off such changes.

## How to test

- Check: Changes of context are initiated only by user request or a mechanism is available to turn off such changes.
- Use the sufficient techniques below as acceptable methods when applicable.
- Confirm none of the common failures apply.

## Sufficient techniques (W3C)

- G76: Providing a mechanism to request an update of the content instead of updating automatically
- SVR1: Implementing automatic redirects on the server side instead of on the client side
- G110: Using an instant client-side redirect
- H76: Using meta refresh to create an instant client-side redirect
- H83: Using the target attribute to open a new window on user request and indicating this in link text
- SCR24: Using progressive enhancement to open new windows on user request
- SCR19: Using an onchange event on a select element without causing a change of context

## Advisory techniques (W3C)

- G200: Opening new windows and tabs from a link only when necessary

## Common failures (W3C)

- F60: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to launching a new window when a user enters text into an input field
- F61: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to complete change of main content through an automatic update that the user cannot disable from within the content
- F9: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to changing the context when the user removes focus from a form element
- F22: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to opening windows that are not requested by the user
- F52: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to opening a new window as soon as a new page is loaded
- F40: Failure due to using meta redirect with a time limit
- F41: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.1, 2.2.4, and 3.2.5 due to using meta refresh to reload the page

## Resources

- WCAG 2.2 SC: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#change-on-request
- Understanding: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/change-on-request.html
- Quick reference: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/?versions=2.2#change-on-request

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