Test for accessibility

Test for accessibility using available tools.

Accessibility must be included as part of the product test cycle to ensure people with disabilities can use the software.

The following techniques are the minimum required to meet Checkpoint 6.1 from the IBM Java Accessibility Checklist:

• Test using the keyboard. You should be able to navigate to all controls using only the keyboard.
• If your product uses Install Shield MultiPlatform, the installation must be accessible. Verify that installation is properly enabled by using a screen reader that supports Java and the Access Bridge. A bundled JVM must be included with the installer which is preconfigured with the Access Bridge or include a .jar file version of the installer. Test using a screen reader that supports Java and the Java Access Bridge. JDK 1.4.1 is compatible with Java Access Bridge 1.2. Sun provides a very useful web page describing compatibility of the JVMs, the Access Bridge and the Java Utilities. Use this page to obtain information on downloading the Access Bridge.
  
  If you get don't expected results with the screen reader, use one of the Java Accessibility tools such as JavaFerret to determine if the problem is with the application or the screen reader.
• Test using the testing techniques provided for each checkpoint.

The techniques above are required; the following techniques are recommended to enhance accessibility:

• Test using accessibility test tools such as JavaFerret to determine whether there is an accessibility problem with your application or with the screen reader. If your application is coded correctly, but the screen reader does not read the application, use these tools to verify that the right information is available to the screen reader. If the tools provide accurate information in the Name, Description, Value, Role and State fields, but the screen reader does not read the information, it is probably a screen reader issue and not a problem with your application.
  • Ferret (link resides outside of ibm.com) uses the Java Accessibility Utilities to examine accessible information about the objects in the Java Virtual Machine. JavaFerret is shipped as part of the Java Access Bridge.
  • Monkey (link resides outside of ibm.com) "swings" through the component trees in a particular Java Virtual Machine and presents the hierarchy in two different ways. The first is the actual Component hierarchy and the second is the hierarchy viewed as Accessible objects. JavaMonkey is shipped as part of the Java Access Bridge.
• Test using a screen magnifier to verify the focus has been set.
• Include people with disabilities in the beta and usability tests of the product.