***1194.21 Software Applications & Operating Systems***

***Overview***

This subcategory applies to purchased or developed Operating Systems and
application software programs. These requirements also apply to EIT
products that contain software as an integral part of their
functionality. Such application software is bundled or sold with the
product, and typically executes on an attached network connected
personal computer or server (e.g., a printer would fall under 1194.25
Self Contained, Closed Products but it's software used for printing must
be compliant with this portion of the law).

In addition, these requirements apply to telecommunications PBX with
Telephone Application Programming Interface (TAPI) software that allows
access to phone system functions from a computer workstation.

An example evaluation of a software product is provided in Appendix B.

***Remember That...***

-   An area that is normally overlooked is the installation of software.
    While the software may be Section 508 compliant, the installation
    process may not be. An effective solution is to develop the
    installation process to the appropriate standard.

-   All standards are equal in importance

-   If a standard states "When...", it only applies to situations where
    a feature occurs. Otherwise the standard is not applicable.

-   Most of the standards in this subcategory are good coding practice
    and should be adhered to, even when specifically designing for
    non-disabled persons

-   Software tools developed by Sun for Java include *Ferret*, *Monkey*,
    and the *AccessibilityMonitor*. These tools can be used to help
    ensure compliance.

```{=html}
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```
-   The goal is to provide you with techniques that will result in a 75%
    level of confidence that the item tested is Section 508 compliant

## References for 1194.21

-   Guide to the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information
    Technology, Software Applications and Operating Systems (1194.21)
    <http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.21.htm>

-   The W3C WAI User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 provides further
    guidance and techniques for this requirement at
    http://www.w3.org/TR/UAAG10/guidelines.html#Guidelines

-   IBM Software Accessibility Checklist Checkpoint 1.2,\
    http://www-3.ibm.com/able/accesssoftware.html

-   ANSI/HFES 200, "Software User Interfaces" Section 200.2, Human
    Factors and Ergonomics Society (in balloting)

-   MSDN Home \> MSDN Library \> User Interface Design and Development
    \> Accessibility \> Microsoft Active Accessibility \> C/C++
    Developer\'s Guide \> Active Accessibility User Interface Services
    \> Testing Tools \> Inspect Objects;
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp

-   GNOME Accessibility Framework
    (http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gap/) A free, open source,
    graphical desktop for UNIX and GNU/Linux systems. GNOME 2 will be
    the future desktop of the Solaris™ Operating Environment.

-   Java™ Accessibility, a free, cross platform, toolkit-independent API
    designed to give assistive technologies direct access to the
    information in user interface objects. Java-based applications run
    on a wide variety of host operating systems, many of which already
    have assistive technologies available for them (for example,
    Macintosh, OS/2, Windows). For these existing assistive technologies
    to provide access to programs written in the Java language, they
    need a bridge between their native environment and the accessibility
    support built into the Java platform.
    http://www.sun.com/access/index.html

-   Linux Accessibility Resource Site: GNU/Linux lets the assistive
    technology or software developer make changes to the actual
    operating system in order to provide its users with the desired
    information. http://lars.atrc.utoronto.ca/

-   Macintosh Accessibility
    (http://www.apple.com/disability/easyaccess.html).

-   Microsoft Active Accessibility. MSAA is included in the Windows
    operating system. It was designed to provide a standard interface
    for assistive technology as well as a standard interface for
    applications built on the Windows operating system.\
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/nhp/Default.asp?contentid=28000544

-   World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Document Object Model
    (http://www.w3.org/2002/07/26-dom-article.html). An API that can be
    implemented on various operating systems and in many programming
    languages that provides programmatic access to hypertext markup
    language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML)-based content.

![](media/image1.png){width="8.873622047244094in"
height="6.998425196850394in"}***1194.21 (a)* *When software is designed
to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be
executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of
performing a function can be discerned textually.***

###### *In other words...*

## At a minimum, every feature of an application must be performed from the keyboard. The feature itself or the result of the feature must provide text feedback (e.g., you cannot have a print function that can only be accessed by the mouse).

## Note: This law only applies to systems that include keyboards. Information transaction machines such as kiosks with limited input controls would fall under Self Contained, Closed Products.

###### *Terms*

*Discerned textually* -- The capability of a product's function to
return text-based feedback to the user (e.g., pressing delete will pop
up a confirmation dialog box with text that is accessible to assistive
technology)

###### *Determine compliance*

To test for product compliance,

-   Install the software by using only the keyboard

-   Perform basic software functions using the keyboard (e.g., open and
    close a file, read the help file, and print). The functions should
    perform as expected

-   Consult the user manual for product functionality. For every
    function, there must be a means to access and use that function with
    the keyboard alone

**Notes:**

-   Please see the accompanying Windows Shortcut Keys for commonly used
    key combinations

-   When navigating through an application, a sighted user can also test
    for 1194.21(c) compliance by ensuring that each interface element
    displays focus changes

# *Windows Shortcut Keys*

It is important for applications to be consistent with other
applications when using shortcut keys. This section introduces a series
of shortcut keys that are used in Windows. To be consistent with other
Windows-based applications, it is recommended that you map shortcut keys
in a similar way.

**Note:** This section is an overview of commonly used shortcut keys. If
you are connected to Windows through Microsoft Terminal Services Client,
some shortcuts may have changed depending on your configuration. Some
keyboard shortcuts may require Microsoft *Natural Keyboard* or another
compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key
(![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"
height="0.11388888888888889in"}) and the Application key
(![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
height="0.1763888888888889in"}).

**System-Wide Shortcut Keys**

  ---------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
  **Press**                                                  **To**

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Display or hide the **Start** menu.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}                            

  CTRL+ESC                                                   Display or hide the **Start** menu (same as
                                                             ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"
                                                             height="0.11388888888888889in"}).

  CTRL+ALT+DELETE                                            Display Windows Security screen or Windows Task
                                                             Manager.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Display the **System Properties** dialog box.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+BREAK                      

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Show the desktop.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+D                          

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Minimize all windows.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+M                          

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Restore minimized windows.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+Shift+M                    

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Open My Computer by Windows Explorer.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+E                          

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Search for a file or folder.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+F                          

  CTRL+![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"   Search for computers.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+F                          

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Display Windows Help.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+F1                         

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Lock your computer if you are connected to a network
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+L                          domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a
                                                             network domain.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Open the **Run** dialog box.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+R                          

  ALT+TAB(s)                                                 Switch between open windows. While holding the ALT
                                                             key down, you can press TAB several times to navigate
                                                             through the system display of each previously used
                                                             window.

  ALT+SHIFT+TAB(s)                                           Similar to ALT+TAB(s), switch backward between open
                                                             windows. You can switch between moving backward or
                                                             forward by holding or releasing SHIFT key.

  ALT+ESC(s)                                                 Cycle the input focus through the windows in the
                                                             order that they were opened; compare to ALT+TAB.

  ALT+SHIFT+ESC(s)                                           Similar to ALT+ESC(s), cycle focus backward through
                                                             windows. You can switch between moving backward or
                                                             forward by holding or releasing the SHIFT key.

  PRINTSCREEN                                                Copy an image of the screen.

  ALT+PRINTSCREEN                                            Copy an image of the current window.

  Left ALT+SHIFT                                             Switch input languages or keyboard layouts (available
                                                             and configurable when the user installed multiple
                                                             keyboard layouts through Regional and Language
                                                             Options in Control Panel).

  CTRL+SHIFT                                                 Switch keyboard layouts or input languages (available
                                                             and configurable when the user installed multiple
                                                             keyboard layouts through Regional and Language
                                                             Options in Control Panel).

  CTRL or left ALT+SHIFT + \~, number (0\~9), or grave       Hot key for input languages (available and
  accent key                                                 configurable when the user installed multiple
                                                             keyboard layouts through Regional and Language
                                                             Options in Control Panel).

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        \[Speech recognition\] Toggle listening status of the
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+V                          microphone.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        \[Speech recognition\] Correct recognized text
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+C                          strings.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        \[Speech recognition\] Toggle between speech
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+T                          dictation mode.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        \[Handwriting\] Open or close handwriting pad.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+H                          

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"        Reserved for OEM use.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+ *number*                  
  ---------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------

**System-Wide Accessibility Options and Tools Shortcut Keys**

  ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Press**                                             **To**

  Holding right SHIFT for eight seconds                 Switch FilterKeys on and off.

  Left ALT + left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN                    Switch High Contrast on and off.

  Left ALT + left SHIFT+NUM LOCK                        Switch MouseKeys on and off.

  SHIFT five times                                      Switch StickyKeys on and off.

  Holding NUM LOCK for five seconds                     Switch ToggleKeys on and off.

  ![](media/image2.png){width="0.13472222222222222in"   Open Utility Manager.
  height="0.11388888888888889in"}+U                     
  ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**General Shortcut Keys for Applications**

  ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
  **Press**                                            **To**

  F1                                                   Display Application Help.

  SHIFT+F1                                             Display tips help (context-sensitive help) near the
                                                       selected control.

  ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
  height="0.1763888888888889in"}                       

  SHIFT+F10                                            Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
                                                       (same as
                                                       ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
                                                       height="0.1763888888888889in"}).

  CTRL+C                                               Copy selected items.

  CTRL+X                                               Cut selected items.

  CTRL+V                                               Paste, cut or copied items.

  CTRL+Z                                               Undo the last action.

  CTRL+Y                                               Redo the last action.

  ESC                                                  Cancel the current task.

  DELETE                                               Delete selected items.
  ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

**Navigation and Window Controls Shortcut Keys**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Press**                           **To**

  CTRL+F4                             Close the active document in
                                      applications that allow you to have
                                      multiple documents open
                                      simultaneously.

  ALT+F4                              Close the active item, or quit the
                                      active application.

  CTRL+TAB                            Moves to next pane or palette.

  CTRL+SHIFT+TAB                      Moves to previous pane or palette.

  F6                                  Moves to next pane or palette (same
                                      as CTRL+TAB).

  SHIFT+F6                            Moves to previous pane or palette
                                      (same as CTRL+SHIFT+TAB).

  CTRL+F6                             Moves to next window in a group of
                                      related windows (or between MDI
                                      document windows).

  CTRL+SHIFT+F6                       Moves to previous window in a group
                                      of related windows (or between MDI
                                      document windows).
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**Menu Controls Shortcut Keys**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Press**                           **To**

  ALT+SPACE                           Display shortcut menu for the
                                      active window.

  ALT+\"-\" (Hyphen)                  Display shortcut menu for the
                                      active child window (MDI
                                      application).

  ALT                                 Activate the menu bar and enter
                                      menu mode.

  F10                                 Activate the menu bar and enter
                                      menu mode (same as ALT).

  ALT+(access keys on menu or dialog  Activate the menu bar and open
  box selected)                       corresponding menu to the access
                                      key.

  Access key                          \[Menu mode\] Carry out the
                                      corresponding command.

  DOWN ARROW                          \[Menu mode\] Open menu item, move
                                      to the one item below, or move to
                                      top of menu if focus is located in
                                      the bottom of the menu.

  UP ARROW                            \[Menu mode\] Move to the one menu
                                      item above, or move to the bottom
                                      if focus is located in the top of
                                      the menu.

  RIGHT ARROW                         \[Menu mode\] Open the next menu to
                                      the right, or open a submenu.

  LEFT ARROW                          \[Menu mode\] Open the next menu to
                                      the left, or close a submenu.
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**Edit Box Shortcut Keys**

  ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --
  **Press**                           **To**                             

  HOME                                Move cursor to beginning of the    
                                      line.                              

  END                                 Move cursor to end of the line.    

  CTRL+A                              Select all.                        

  CTRL + RIGHT or LEFT ARROW          Move cursor to the beginning of    
                                      the next or previous word.         

  CTRL + DOWN or UP ARROW             Move cursor to the beginning of    
                                      the next or previous paragraph.    

  CTRL+HOME                           Move cursor to the top of the      
                                      document.                          

  CTRL+END                            Move cursor to the end of the      
                                      document.                          

  Holding SHIFT + cursor movement     Select or extend the selection.    
  (arrow, HOME, or END keys)                                             

  Holding SHIFT + CTRL + Cursor       Select or extend the selection by  
  movement                            words or block of text.            

  INSERT                              Toggle the insertion mode.         
  ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --

**Dialog Box and Common Controls Shortcut Keys**

**Note  **Arrow keys, PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN, HOME, and END keys for
general navigation are omitted from the next table.

  ----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
  **Control type**        **Press**               **To**                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  General                 TAB                     Move forward through options.                                                                                                                                                                                             

                          SHIFT+TAB               Move backward through options.                                                                                                                                                                                            

  Dialog box              ALT+access key          Select or carry out the corresponding command or control.                                                                                                                                                                 

                          ENTER                   Carry out the default command of the dialog box or command of the selected control.                                                                                                                                       

                          SPACE                   Toggle the selection status or carry out the selected option or control command.                                                                                                                                          

                          Arrow keys              Move focus or selection in a group of controls or items.                                                                                                                                                                  

  Tab control             CTRL + TAB              Move forward through tabs.                                                                                                                                                                                                

                          CTRL + SHIFT+TAB        Move backward through tabs.                                                                                                                                                                                               

                          CTRL + PAGE DOWN        Move forward through tabs (same as CTRL+TAB).                                                                                                                                                                             

                          CTRL + PAGE UP          Move backward through tabs (same as CTRL+SHIFT+TAB).                                                                                                                                                                      

                          Arrow keys              Move between tabs when focusing on the control.                                                                                                                                                                           

  Combo box               F4                      Display or hide the items in the active list.                                                                                                                                                                             

                          ALT + DOWN or UP        Display or hide the items in the active list (same as F4).                                                                                                                                                                

                          Any printable key or    Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of title. For more information, see [Navigating by Matching                                                                                      
                          keys                    Characters](http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnacc/html/ATG_KeyboardShortcuts.asp?frame=true#atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters%23atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters).   

  List view               SPACE                   Locates new selection and anchor for the item.                                                                                                                                                                            

                          SHIFT+SPACE             Extends the selection from anchor to the item.                                                                                                                                                                            

                          CTRL+SPACE              Invoke additional selection or de-selection and move the anchor to the selected item.                                                                                                                                     

                          Arrow keys              Move focus and remove all selection and the anchor previously made.                                                                                                                                                       

                          CTRL+arrow keys         Move focus without move of selection or the anchor.                                                                                                                                                                       

                          Any printable key or    Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of the label. For more information, see [Navigating by Matching                                                                                  
                          keys                    Characters](http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnacc/html/ATG_KeyboardShortcuts.asp?frame=true#atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters%23atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters).   

                          CTRL + \"+\" (numeric   Adjusts the width of all columns to fit their contents.                                                                                                                                                                   
                          pad)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  Tree view               \* (Numpad)             Display all sub-items under the selected item.                                                                                                                                                                            

                          \+ (Numpad)             Display sub-items directly under the selected item.                                                                                                                                                                       

                          \- (Numpad)             Collapse the items directly under the selected item group.                                                                                                                                                                

                          RIGHT ARROW             Display sub-items directly under the selected item (same as +).                                                                                                                                                           

                          LEFT ARROW              Collapse the selected item group and move focus to the group leaf root.                                                                                                                                                   

                          CTRL+UP ARROW           Scroll the view without change of the selection.                                                                                                                                                                          

                          CTRL+DOWN ARROW         Scroll the view without change of the selection.                                                                                                                                                                          

                          Any printable key or    Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of title. For more information, see [Navigating by Matching                                                                                      
                          keys                    Characters](http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnacc/html/ATG_KeyboardShortcuts.asp?frame=true#atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters%23atg_keyboardshortcuts_navigating_by_matching_characters).   

  Date and time picker    F4                      Display calendar below the control.                                                                                                                                                                                       

                          ALT+DOWN                Display calendar below the control.                                                                                                                                                                                       

                          ALT+UP                  Hide calendar below the control.                                                                                                                                                                                          

                          PAGE UP                 Move to next month in the calendar.                                                                                                                                                                                       

                          PAGE DOWN               Move to previous month in the calendar.                                                                                                                                                                                   

                          CTRL+PAGE UP            Move to next year in the calendar.                                                                                                                                                                                        

                          CTRL+PAGE DOWN          Move to previous year in the calendar.                                                                                                                                                                                    

  Check box               SPACE                   Toggles the selected option.                                                                                                                                                                                              

                          \-                      Clear the option.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                          \+                      Select the option.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

  Slider                  Arrow keys              Move the slider to the next value. Selecting the slider control style LBS_DOWNISLEFT can reverse the direction.                                                                                                           

                          PAGE UP and DOWN        Move the slider to next value in specified incremental amount. Selecting the slider control style LBS_DOWNISLEFT can reverse the direction.                                                                               
  ----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --

**Windows Explorer Shortcut Keys**

**Note  **The shortcut keys in the next table are presented only as
examples and do not represent all of the available shortcut keys.

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Press**                           **To**

  F2                                  Rename selected item.

  F3                                  Search for a file or folder.

  F4                                  Display the Address bar list.

  F5                                  Refresh the active window or reload
                                      document in the active window.

  F6                                  Cycle through screen elements in a
                                      window or on the desktop.

  ALT+RIGHT ARROW                     Move to next page or folder viewed.

  ALT+LEFT ARROW                      Move to previous or folder viewed.

  ALT+ENTER                           View properties for the selected
                                      item.

  SHIFT+DELETE                        Delete selected item permanently
                                      without placing the item in the
                                      Recycle Bin.

  HOME                                Display the top of the active
                                      window.

  END                                 Display the bottom of the active
                                      window.

  BACKSPACE                           View the folder one level up.
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**Microsoft Office XP Shortcut Keys**

**Note  **The shortcut keys in the next table are presented only as
examples and do not represent all of the available shortcut keys. A
complete list of shortcut keys is provided in the online documentation
of each Microsoft Office application.

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Press**                           **To**

  INSERT                              Toggle the insertion mode.

  F6                                  Move between task pane and the
                                      document window.

  SHIFT+F6                            Move backward between task pane and
                                      the document window.

  CTRL+F6                             Switch to next window when more
                                      than one window is open.

  CTRL+SHIFT+F6                       Switch backward to next window when
                                      more than one window is open.

  CTRL+TAB                            Move focus between menu and tool
                                      bars in menu mode.

  F1                                  Displays the Assistant balloon (if
                                      Office Assistant is turned on).

  ALT+SHIFT+F10                       Displays the menu or message for a
                                      Smart Tag near the input focus.

  CTRL + O                            Opens the **Open** dialog box.

  CTRL + N                            Opens a new blank document.

  CTRL + F                            Opens the **Find** dialog box.

  CTRL + P                            Opens the **Print** dialog box.

  CTRL + S                            Saves the document that currently
                                      has the input focus.

  CTRL + A                            Select all.
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

##  1194.21 (b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer.

###### *In other words...* 

Systems or applications must not disrupt or disable documented
accessibility features of software products or Operating Systems.

###### *Terms* 

*Accessibility feature* -- A product function that is designed to assist
disabled users (e.g., a visual alert for audio feedback to assist hard
of hearing or deaf users, or "sticky keys" which allow dexterity
impaired users to press key combinations sequentially, opposed to
simultaneously)

*Application Programming Interface* (API) -- A standard way for programs
to communicate with each other, including the operating system, and with
input and output devices (e.g., the application programming interface
affects how programs display information on a monitor or receive
keyboard input via the operating system)

###### *Determine compliance* 

When testing software in a Windows environment,

-   Click on *Start \> Settings \> Control Panel*. Double click on the
    *Accessibility Options* icon, and activate all of the accessibility
    features. The *Sticky keys* and *Mouse keys* among other options
    should still work with the application running.

-   Check the product's user manual for any documented accessibility
    features. Enable them if available. Ensure that they do not impact
    Operating System or other application's accessibility features.

-   Run assistive technology with the software. None of the AT features
    should be overridden by the product being tested.

***1194.21 (c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus
shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the
input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that
assistive technology can track focus and focus changes.***

###### *In other words...* 

The point of action (e.g., cursor) is easy to find and is
programmatically exposed to assistive technology so that AT can track
focus and focus changes.

###### *Terms* 

*Assistive Technology* (AT) -- Any item, piece of equipment, or system,
whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly
used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities

*Programmatically exposed* -- a feature of an application to give
sufficient information to the Operating System or other software
applications about the focus through an API

*Focus* -- The current location in a graphic environment (e.g., Windows)
that is selected. Some common screen focuses are the cursor, OK buttons,
and the application title bar that changes color when it is active.
Users can set focus by using the keyboard or the mouse arrow.

###### *Determine compliance* 

Navigate through the software or Operating System, paying attention to
focus changes in menus, dialogs, forms, property boxes and other
interface elements

-   The cursor should be visible and easy to find

-   Focus is easy to identify when using the tab or arrow keys to move
    between objects

**Notes:**

-   Another way to test for compliance is to ensure that while testing
    for 1194.21(a) conformance, a sighted user is able to visually
    discern focus changes throughout a product

-   It is difficult to test for programmatically exposed focus in a
    product. Consult the manufacturer as to how focus is exposed to AT,
    and through what standard APIs focus is available to AT.

## 1194.21 (d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to assistive technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text.

###### *In other words...*

All visually available (on screen) information in a product must be
available to assistive technology. Images, graphs, icons and forms must
have descriptive information conveyed in a text format such as an alt
tag or tool tip.

###### *Term*

*User interface or program element --* Any component of an application
user interface intended to allow the user to access information or
perform an action (e.g., menus, tabs, radio buttons, text fields, etc.)

###### *Determine compliance*

Consult the manufacturer for compliance. If the manufacturer is not
available or you are performing compliance testing on proprietary
software solutions,

-   Inspect the application using a software utility to retrieve and
    display information about user interface elements. Each interface
    element should be identified and accurately described by the utility
    (e.g., a check box should report its function and current state).

-   A quick way to determine if images are compliant is to place the
    mouse pointer on an icon and a tool tip should appear which
    textually describes the function of that icon

**Notes:**

-   Microsoft provides two utilities available to developers. One
    utility is called *SPY++* included in Visual Studio and another is
    the *Object Inspector*.

-   To test Java-based applications, visit
    http://java.sun.com/products/jfc/jaccess-1.3/doc/index.html and
    download the free Access Bridge interface utilities such as
    *Ferret*, *Monkey*, and *AccessibilityMonitor*

-   An expert testing with specific AT such as screen reading software
    in a specific environment does not guarantee compliance, but can be
    an effective indicator if a product conforms to this law

## 1194.21 (e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application\'s performance

###### *In other words...*

An image's use must be consistent throughout a product. Alternative text
(e.g., tooltip, alt text) should also adhere to this standard.

###### *Terms*

*Bitmap --* A graphic image indicating the presence of an interface
element. The bitmap in this standard does not imply any particular
graphics file format.

*Programmatic elements* -- Any component of an application user
interface intended to allow the user to access information or perform an
action (e.g., menus, tabs, radio buttons, text fields, etc.)

###### *Determine compliance*

It is best to use universally accepted images for specific functions
(e.g., the picture of a printer for the printing function). Products
should not have contradictory or counter-intuitive image meanings (e.g.,
the picture of a printer whose function is to delete records).

Check the bitmap images in the product, especially those that are unique
or critical tasks.

-   Ensure that the image for a function are consistent throughout the
    application

## 1194.21 (f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes.

###### *In other words...* 

Text information from a product must be available to assistive
technology. This is accomplished by interfacing with Operating System
functions for displaying text (e.g., APIs that are given text content
and attributes)

###### *Terms* 

*Textual information* *--* Any information presented using words and
characters. An image of text is considered textual information.

*Application Programming Interface* (API) -- A standard way for programs
to communicate with each other, including the operating system, and with
input and output devices (e.g., the application programming interface
affects how programs display information on a monitor or receive
keyboard input via the operating system).

###### *Determine compliance* 

Two ways to check for compliance include

-   Changing the font attributes in the Operating System. In Windows,
    this can be done by clicking *Start \> Settings \> Control Panel \>
    Display \> Appearance*. Changes in the fonts appear in the
    application

-   Textual information is selectable using the cursor

## 1194.21 (g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes.

###### *In other words...* 

A product must be able to conform to user's Operating System display
settings. A product cannot use it's own color and contrast settings,
unless it complies with 1194.21(j).

###### *Term*

*Display attributes* -- Settings that affect the visual presentation of
information and user interface in an application or Operating System
(e.g., font, font size, and color)

###### *Determine compliance* 

Change the Operating System display settings. In Windows this is
accomplished by clicking *Start \>Settings \> Control Panel \>, Display
\>Appearance*.

-   The color settings must be consistent with the Operating System's
    display settings, and in all of the product's screens

-   Application functions can not disable or change contrast settings

-   The magnification/zoom settings can not be adversely affected when
    evaluating the product

**Note:** Satisfying this requirement will help support interoperability
with assistive technology such as screen magnifiers and alternative user
interfaces

## 1194.21 (h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user.

###### *In other words...*

If animation is used in a product, the user must be able to select at
least one non-animated mode to display the animation's information
(e.g., audio or text description)

###### *Term*

*Animation --* Automated visual movement created by and under the
control of the software application that is displayed on a user
interface. Note this definition does not include video, which is the
result of differences in the images within individual video frames, and
is not created by the display application.

###### *Determine compliance*

Ways to determine the full set of controls that display animation
include review of the product interface and the product documentation
(e.g., user manuals, online help)

The software must provide an alternative means to animation's content.
For informative animation sequences,

-   An equivalent alternative format of the information, such as text or
    audio descriptions

**Note:** A good practice is to have the ability to turn decorative
(non-informational) animations off

## 1194.21 (i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.

###### *In other words...* 

Color cannot be the only means of discerning visual elements or actions

###### *Determining compliance* 

Color should never be the only means to identify a function. Any time
color is used to identify a function, there must be an alternative or
different reference and that reference has to be unique.

For example, a form that requires the user to complete only the areas in
red would be noncompliant. One solution would be to have the user
complete all the red areas with an asterisk or a red star (however, only
if there are no other stars on the form).

-   For all functions that require color-coding to convey information,
    there must also be an alternate for prompting a response or
    distinguishable visual element

```{=html}
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```
-   For all functions that require color-coding, the information or
    action must also be conveyed without color. Two ways to evaluate
    this standard are:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   If a black and white setting is available, turn it on and verify
    that all information is still conveyed

-   Print the information without color on a black and white printer or
    adjust the display to monochrome, and verify that all information is
    still conveyed

**Notes:**

-   Methods for determining all the places color-coding is used to
    convey information include review of the product interface and the
    product documentation (e.g., user manuals plus online help)

-   The alternative to color-coding must be accessible with and without
    assistive technology

***1194.21 (j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and
contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a
range of contrast levels shall be provided.***

###### *In other words...* 

A variety of color selections and contrast levels should be provided
when an application allows the user to change contrast or color
settings. The range should be capable of producing a spectrum of color
combinations and contrast levels.

If the product does not permit adjustable color and contrast settings
(e.g., only black and white are offered), the standard does not apply.
If the product does allow the alteration of such settings, see
1194.21(g).

###### *Determining compliance* 

In Windows, go to the *Start menu \> Settings \> Control Panel \>
Accessibility Options* and change the color and contrast settings. If
the application's color and/or contrast do not change, then the product
must allow the user to adjust color or contrast settings:

-   Allow color adjustment to foreground, background, or other elements

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Provide a range of colors. For example, Microsoft allows at least 30
    variations. At a minimum, the product should include the selection
    of the eight primary colors for both the foreground and background.

Another way to check if the product is compliant:

-   If a black and white setting is available, turn it on

-   If possible print the information without color on a black and white
    printer or adjust the display to monochrome

**Notes:**

-   There should be a combination that will provide a soft background,
    low contrast color scheme as well as combinations that provide a
    high contrast color scheme

-   Avoid reds and greens together. White on black, black on white, and
    yellow on black are examples of high contrast settings.

-   Lighthouse International provides guidelines for effective color
    contrast on their web site at www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm.

-   Primary colors are different for pigment than for light. Color
    combinations should be based on video display not printed material.

## 1194.21 (k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz

###### *In other words...* 

Design products to avoid flashing/blinking on the screen with a
frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.

###### *Terms* 

*Flashing or blinking element* -- An interface element that has an
intentional cyclic variation in display

*Hertz (Hz)* -- A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second

###### *Determine compliance* 

It is best not to use products with screen flashing/blinking. If you do,
two methods to quickly evaluate the screen flicker rate are:

-   Check the user manual for flashing/blinking rate. If it is not
    listed, call the manufacturer for information.

-   Because 2 Hz is relatively slow, it is possible to use visual
    observation to determine if the flicker is greater than 2 Hz. The
    screen flashing/blinking should not be faster than a one second
    interval. If you do not have a timing device, the most simplistic
    way to determine a one second interval is to count "one thousand
    one", which is fairly close to one second.

**Notes:**

-   If there are multiple items that are flashing simultaneously in the
    same visual space, the cumulative effect should be considered

-   Remember processor speed and graphic cards can affect flash rate so
    it is best to measure flashing/blinking rate on all the pertinent
    products

## 1194.21 (l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.

###### *In other words...* 

Electronic forms in products must be accessible to assistive
technologies. This includes the fields in the form, all information
required to complete the form, and any functions used to submit the
form.

###### *Determine compliance* 

This standard cannot be visually evaluated for compliance without access
to the source code of a product. The most effective way to evaluate the
product is with assistive technology (e.g., JAWS or other screen reading
software) or testing utilities (e.g., the Microsoft Object Inspector,
see 1194.21(f))

When evaluating electronic forms:

-   The focus should move in a logical sequence to all fields and
    information (e.g., starting with a description of a name field which
    then moves from first name to last name, or street address to state)

-   Be able to fill in data in the proper fields in the required format
    (e.g., name, state, telephone numbers, critical fields)

-   Complete the form and be able to submit it using only the keyboard
    (see 1194.21(a))