Make sure that a time limit can be turned off, adjusted or extended

Sometimes forms have to be completed within a certain time or a login session expires after a certain period of time. Such a time limit is not useful to visitors who need more time. For example, because they use the assistive technology or because they need more time to read the text due to a cognitive disability. Therefore, make sure that no time limit is used. If there really is no other way, give visitors the option to adjust the time limit. This can be done in one of the following ways:

  • Disable: Let visitors disable the time limit before it starts.
  • Adjust: Let visitors adjust the time limit to at least 10 times the time limit before it starts.
  • Extend: Warn visitors before the time expires and give them at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit. Have the visitor do this at least 10 times.

Not all time limits require that they can be turned off, adjusted or extended. There are a few exceptions:

  • Real-time: When the time limit is part of a real-time event, such as auction bidding, and there is no alternative to the time limit.
  • Essential: If the time limit itself is essential, such as a test that must be completed in a certaina amount of time, and an extension would make it invalid.
  • More than 20 hours: If the time limit is more than 20 hours.