Toggle key status

Hardware Self Contained, Closed Products checkpoint 2.1

Provide the status of all locking or toggle keys visually and either through touch or sound.

Rationale

Toggle keys, like the Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock keys on the keyboard typically provide only a visual indicator of the key state. A user who is blind or visually impaired cannot determine the state of those keys. The status should be provided in redundant ways so a deaf user can see the state and a blind user can hear or feel the state.

Development techniques

Use one or more of the following techniques to meet Checkpoint 2.1 from the IBM Hardware Self Contained, Closed Products Accessibility Checklist:

Provide auditory feedback in addition to visual feedback of the key state. For example, provide an audio pattern such as ascending and descending pitch tones to indicate when the status is turned on or off.
Provide tactile feedback in addition to visual feedback of the key state.
Provide keys which remain depressed when activated.

Testing techniques

Test the hardware to ensure that it complies with accessibility requirements.

Tools

No tools are needed to test this checkpoint:

Techniques

*One or more of the following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:*
Action	Result
1. Verify the status of locking and toggle keys visually and through sound.	Pass: Status of locking or toggle key can be visually ascertained, and Status of locking or toggle key can be ascertained through sound. Fail: Status of locking or toggle key can not be visually ascertained. Status of locking or toggle key can be visually ascertained, but cannot be ascertained through sound.
2. Verify the status of locking and toggle keys visually and through touch.	Pass: Status of locking or toggle key can be visually ascertained, and Status of locking or toggle key can be ascertained through touch. Fail: Status of locking or toggle key can not be visually ascertained. Status of locking or toggle key can be visually ascertained, but cannot be ascertained through touch.
3. Verify the status of locking and toggle keys. Determine that a key remains depressed when activated.	Pass: Status of locking or toggle key can be ascertained by a binary position , e.g. depressed, not depressed. Fail: Status of locking or toggle key can not be ascertained by a binary position. e.g. a Three way switch.

Last updated January 30, 2008.

Checklist