WCAG 2.2. Success Criteria 3.3.7, Redundant Entry (Level A) – A Summary

The release of WCAG 2.2 introduced two new level A success criteria and four new level AA success criteria.  In this post, I provide a summary of  Success Criteria 3.3.7, Redundant Entry (Level A).

The aim of ‘Success Criterion 3.3.7, Redundant Entry‘ is to ensure that multi-step processes are easy to complete, without repetition and the need to recall details from previous steps.

For individuals with cognitive or memory challenges, the requirement to remember information poses a significant obstacle. Mental fatigue and stress sets in as the individual tries to recover information from short-term memory. This can be particularly taxing for users with learning and cognitive impairments.

From the publisher’s point of view, the resulting visitor frustration can lead to the abandonment of tasks or the input of incorrect information. Unlike browser autocomplete features, which are insufficient for this criterion, the website itself needs to provide stored information for redundant entries or avoid requesting the same information again.

It’s important to note that this criterion doesn’t impose a requirement to store information between sessions. The Success Criteria does not apply to users returning after closing a session or navigating away. However, a process can span different domains. For example, a shopping cart payment process.

The idea that data should not be entered twice does not mean that it can’t be available from a drop-down menu or a show/hide component. However, preferably it should be on the same page, visible by default and closely associated with the input where the data is needed.

This Success Criterion doesn’t apply to Accessible Authentication. For example, auto-filling passwords by the user’s browser is acceptable.

While privacy and personally identifiable information (PII) are not explicitly addressed by this criterion, authors implementing techniques such as auto-population should ensure data protection during information storage, even temporarily.

Exceptions to Success Criteria 3.3.7

Exceptions to this criterion include cases where data is provided by the user using a different method, such as uploading a resume in a document format.

Where input re-entry is part of a memory game, security measures (e.g., preventing a password string from being shown), or cases where previously entered information is no longer valid.

This Success Criterion helps:

• Individuals with cognitive impairments, and/or Individuals who face challenges with short-term working memory. Reducing stress lowers the likelihood of errors as does avoiding the need to remember information.
• Individuals who find it difficult to form new memories or recall information.
• Individuals with mobility impairments, such as individuals using switch control or voice input.

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