Animation can bring a website to life, but have you ever considered how it impacts all users? While animations and gifs can make a site feel more dynamic, they can also cause some visitors discomfort—or worse—. Let’s explore why animations can be tricky from an accessibility standpoint and how you can design them to be both engaging and inclusive.

Why Animation Can Be Problematic

Animations aren’t just flashy extras—they can deeply affect how users experience your website, and not always in a good way.

• Motion Sensitivity: Some people have vestibular disorders that make them sensitive to movement on screens. Animations like parallax scrolling or sliding elements can trigger dizziness, vertigo, or nausea.
• Seizures: Flashing lights or strobing effects can be dangerous for users with photosensitive epilepsy. Even subtle flickers can cause issues.
• Cognitive Overload: Busy or overly complex animations can overwhelm users with cognitive impairments, making it hard for them to focus or understand the content.
• Assistive Technology Interference: Screen readers and other tools can struggle with animations that change content dynamically, leading to confusion.

These challenges highlight why designers need to think critically about when and how they use animations.

Does Your Design Really Need Animation?

Not every project calls for animation. Before you add that fancy effect, ask yourself:

• Does it serve a purpose?
• Will it help users navigate or understand the site?
• Could it distract or overwhelm someone?

Animations should always have a clear function, like drawing attention to a call-to-action or giving feedback on an interaction. If the animation doesn’t improve usability, it might be best to skip it.

Making Animations Accessible

If you must use an animation, here are some tips to ensure it doesn’t cause issues for people with cognitive or visual impairments:

1. Keep It Simple: Avoid overly elaborate or decorative effects. Subtle transitions or fades can be just as effective without being overwhelming.
2. Mind the Timing: Speed matters. Too fast, and users might get lost; too slow, and they could grow impatient. Aim for a balance that feels natural.
3. Give Users Control: All animations should have visual and accessible controls to pause and play the animation. Always respect the prefers-reduced-motion media query.
4. Focus on Purpose: Every animation should add value. Whether it’s guiding users or making content clearer, make sure it serves a meaningful purpose.

A Quick Fix with prefers-reduced-motion

One of the easiest ways to address motion sensitivity is by using the prefers-reduced-motion media query. This CSS feature checks if a user has reduced motion enabled on their device and adjusts animations accordingly.

Here’s how you can tone down animations for users who prefer less motion:

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {  
  .animated-element {  
    animation: none;  
    transition: none;  
  }  
}  

Want to simplify rather than completely disable? Try this:

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {  
  .fade-in {  
    animation: fade-in 0.5s linear;  
  }  
}  
@keyframes fade-in {  
  from { opacity: 0; }  
  to { opacity: 1; }  
}  

This approach keeps your design functional while reducing the risk of discomfort for sensitive users.

What Does WCAG Say About Animation?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer clear rules about animations. Two of the most relevant criteria are:

• 2.3.1: Three Flashes or Below Threshold
• Avoid animations that flash more than three times per second. It’s a crucial step in reducing the risk of seizures.
• 2.3.3: Animation from Interactions
• If animations are triggered by user actions, make sure they can be disabled without affecting functionality.

Following these guidelines helps ensure your site is usable for everyone.

Testing Your Animations

Testing is an essential part of designing accessible animations. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Check Motion Settings: Turn on the “reduce motion” setting on your device (available on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android) and see how your site responds.
• Try Keyboard Navigation: Ensure animations don’t interfere with keyboard functionality. Can users still tab through links and buttons smoothly?
• Use Automated Tools: Tools like Lighthouse can catch accessibility issues related to animations.
• Gather Feedback: Get input from real users, especially those with disabilities. They’ll provide insights you might not have considered.

Accessible Animation with JavaScript

Sometimes, you’ll need JavaScript to handle animations. You can still make them accessible by pairing JavaScript with prefers-reduced-motion.

Here’s a quick example:

const reduceMotion = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)');  
if (reduceMotion.matches) {  
  // Turn off animations for users who prefer reduced motion  
  document.querySelector('.animated-element').style.animation = 'none';  
} else {  
  // Keep animations for everyone else  
  document.querySelector('.animated-element').classList.add('run-animation');  
}   

This snippet ensures your animations adapt to user preferences without requiring manual toggles.

Wrapping It Up

Animations can be a powerful tool for creating engaging, interactive websites—but they should never come at the expense of accessibility. By keeping animations simple, purposeful, and user-controlled, you can deliver a better experience for all your visitors.

Don’t forget to test your designs with real users and tools, and make use of features like prefers-reduced-motion to accommodate different needs. Thoughtful design is inclusive design, and accessible animations are a small change that can make a big difference. If you’re unsure if the animations on your website are accessible or would like an expert partner to help you get started, reach out to 216digital using the contact form below.