Query on WCAG SC 1.3.4: Orientation and Content Loss

[AccessibilityEnthusiastic]

I have a query regarding WCAG SC 1.3.4 (Orientation). When we change the orientation from portrait to landscape or from landscape to portrait, some informative content gets lost.

In this case, should we raise the issue under SC 1.3.4, or does this success criterion only cover the ability to switch orientation, regardless of whether content is lost?

[patrickhlauke]

While not explicit, to me "Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation" would also mean that if particular content/functionality is only available in one orientation, then it fails here. Because effectively, that content/functionality IS restricted to just a particular orientation.

Of course, there's nuance here, because sometimes in a different orientation, content may not appear directly in the same place/on the same page, but instead be moved to a sub-page, a separate modal dialog or panel, or similar - similar to responsive layouts where sometimes content isn't just laid out differently, but more fundamentally reorganised to better serve that particular viewport size/orientation.

[AccessibilityEnthusiastic]

Thanks, @patrickhlauke . Sometimes I’ve observed that when changing the orientation, a few interactive controls (links, buttons, etc.) get lost, sometimes informative text is cut off or disappears, and in some cases the content is still present but the functionality breaks. In these situations, should we consider all of these under SC 1.3.4, or would some of them.

[mraccess77]

My recollection is that the SC text stopped short of saying all content and functionality were available like SC 1.4.4 does and only focused on the content not restricting the view. So, the criterion does seem to allow for situations where some functionality might not be available even if that is an issue for users.

"Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation, such as portrait or landscape, unless a specific display orientation is essential."

[patrickhlauke]

bit of a gray area, because the current wording can also be interpreted as "if certain content is only available in one orientation, the that content restricts its view to a single display orientation"

otherwise, it ONLY fails for cases where orientation is forcibly locked or shows a "you must turn your device" doorslam. if that's the intended case, probably needs to more explicitly say so in the understanding...