2.3.3 Animation from Interactions

What this criterion requires

Motion animation triggered by interaction (parallax, zoom transitions) can be disabled, unless the animation is essential.

Who it helps

People with vestibular disorders, for whom motion causes nausea and dizziness.

Example: fails vs passes

.hero { animation: parallax 1s linear; }  /* always on */

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
    * { animation: none !important; transition: none !important; }
    }

Vestibular disorders make motion physically sickening. Honor the OS-level reduce-motion setting.

How to meet and fix it

• Honor prefers-reduced-motion for every non-essential animation
• Offer an in-product reduce-motion setting

Common failures auditors find

• Parallax scrolling and large zoom transitions with no reduced-motion path

Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.

Last updated 12 August 2026. Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.