Resource guide
3.2.2 On Input
Changing the value of a control must not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been warned in advance.
By Calling All Minds·Last updated April 2026
Success criterion
Conformance level
Essential baseline — must meet for any compliance.
What it means
Similar to 3.2.1, this criterion covers what happens when a user interacts with a form control. Changing a select option, ticking a checkbox, or entering text should not automatically trigger unexpected context changes.
If a change of context is intended, users must be warned before interacting with the control, not just given a notice after the change has already happened.
In practice
Do not use onchange on a select element to navigate to a new page without a submit button or a warning.
If selecting a country in a form auto-updates the available options for another field, that is acceptable as long as focus does not move unexpectedly.
If a significant page update will happen when an option is changed, add a label or nearby text explaining this before the control.
Common failures
- Country selector that automatically navigates to a country-specific version of the site without warning
- Dropdown that opens a modal dialog when an option is changed
- Checkbox that submits a form when checked
AXS Audit
AXS Audit checks your site against 3.2.2 and flags issues your team can act on straight away. It covers criteria that automated scanners often miss.