What WCAG 1.3.4 Requires
Content must not be restricted to only one screen orientation, portrait or landscape, unless a specific orientation is essential, such as a piano or check-scanning app.
Can AccessBell Test This Automatically?
Not fully. Like most WCAG criteria that depend on meaning or context, this one needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it never gets missed.
How to Test It by Hand
Rotate a mobile device (or use the browser's device toolbar) and confirm the page works in both orientations.
Common Failures
- A page or app is locked to portrait mode with CSS or JavaScript for no functional reason.
Related Criteria in Adaptable
WCAG 1.3.4 Questions
What does WCAG 1.3.4 require?
Content must not be restricted to only one screen orientation, portrait or landscape, unless a specific orientation is essential, such as a piano or check-scanning app.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.3.4 automatically?
Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.
What level is WCAG 1.3.4?
Level AA, added in WCAG 2.1. Level AA is required to meet WCAG AA, the level referenced by the ADA, Section 508 and most accessibility laws.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 1.3.4 Orientation (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
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