Built in Accessibility Checks

This is a technique for testing:

CEUD Guidelines for Applications Software - Priority 1: 1.1 Ensure that users have access to the operating system accessibility tools, without affecting application functionality

IBM Checkpoint 1.2: Do not interfere with keyboard accessibility features built into the operating system.

VPAT Section 1194.21 (b): 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.

Overview

All computer operating systems have some general accessibility options designed to help those with poor sight, hearing difficulties and for those who lack dexterity or mobility skills whether this is restricted movement or due to tremor or poor control. High contrast colours and magnification can help help those with visual difficulties, flashing edges to screen windows can be used as alerts when hearing sounds is an issue and if movement is a problem there are options for other mouse or keyboard controls.

The Microsoft Windows Operating System has many built in features to aid accessibility and these are available from the Accessibility Options in XP and the Ease of Access Center in Vista.   Microsoft have different accessibility sections for their products with a guide for educators

The Apple Mac Operating System  also has several built in features to increase accessibility and these can all be found under system preferences among the Accessibility resources including VoiceOver . 

The Linux Operating System is a "free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world" and there are serveral projects linked to the accessibility options for users.  AccessIT from the University of Washington asked the question - Is Linux accessible? and has provided yet more information on the subject.

Method

Depending on the system you are running, open the software program you wish to test and try the main options offered - you should be able to control them via the keyboard. CEUD list the Windows examples as:

  • Sticky Keys - Enables the user to generate combination key presses, such as Ctrl+Alt+F, by pressing the keys one at a time.
  • Toggle Keys - Causes audible and visible alerts to be generated when the Caps Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys are pressed.
  • Sound Sentry - Ensures that system sounds (beeps) are accompanied by a visible alert, such as a screen flash.
  • Repeat Keys - Enables the user to adjust the rate at which keys repeat when held down.
  • Slow Keys - Enables the user to adjust the length of time keys must be held down before the key press is accepted.
  • Bounce Keys or Filter Keys - Prevents the keyboard from accepting quick consecutive presses of the same key.
  • Mouse Keys - Enables the user to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys.
  • Screen reader - Reads aloud the screen contents in a synthetic voice.
  • Screen magnifier - Magnifies the area of the screen around the focus point and displays it in a separate window.
  • On-screen keyboard - A software keyboard, displayed on the screen, which emulates the hardware keyboard.

The following is a list of the accessible keyboard shortcut keys on Windows that can speed your evaluation :
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable StickyKeys is to press the Shift key 5 times.
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable FilterKeys is to hold down the right Shift key for 8 seconds.
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable ToggleKeys is to hold down the Num Lock key for 5 seconds.
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable High Contrast is to press the Left-Alt key+Left-Shift key+PrintScreen key.
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable MouseKeys is to press the Left-Alt key+Left-Shift key+Num Lock key.

IBM go on to show when an application passes or fails for Windows, Mac and Unix.

Advice

There is much advice on the web as to the use of computer operating sysems built in accessibility options – here are just a few links for further information: