Timing Out of Web Pages

General comments

For security reasons, some Web pages are designed to "time out" automatically if a user does not take some action within a prescribed time period. For example, a personnel department may use this technique to make sure that their employees do not leave their personal and private employment data and elections on their computer screens where others may view or tamper with the information, or even where hackers can 'grab' the streaming data off the Internet. Alternatively, sometimes the "time-out" technique is used to reduce the demands on the computer serving the Web pages.

Pages that require users to navigate or negotiate elements within a fixed amount of time can present challenges to some persons with disabilities. For example, someone with extremely low vision may be a slower-than-average reader. Likewise, persons with disabilities may require additional time to complete a form. Because many forms, when they "time out," also delete whatever data has been entered, a person with a disability who is slow may be unable to complete the form. Designers should ensure that before a page "times out," the user is given an opportunity to request additional time.

Department of Commerce Web Advisory Council (WAC)
U.S. Department of Commerce

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Page last updated October 12, 2010