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Checkpoint 1.2: Keyboard accessibility features

Do not interfere with keyboard accessibility features built into the operating system.

On this page:

Rationale

Required development techniques

Required test techniques

 

Rationale

The Windows operating system, CDE/Motif Unix systems and Macintosh systems have a set of accessibility options which enable users with disabilities to customize system wide settings to improve accessibility. For example, a Windows user with a physical disability may not be able to press multiple key stroke sequences, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, simultaneously. Setting the Sticky Keys option enables the user to press and release the keys to invoke the desired function. For example, the user can press and release the Shift key 5 times, then press and release Ctrl, then Alt, then Delete to restart the Windows operating system.

Keyboard accessibility options make it possible for people with a variety of disabilities to use their computer. If the application software interferes with these options, some users may find their system unusable.

On Unix systems, they are part of the AccessX package. On Macintosh systems, they are an extension of the Control Panel called Easy Access.

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Required development techniques

The following techniques are the minimum required to meet Checkpoint 1.2 from the IBM Software Accessibility Checklist:

  1. Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.
  2. Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.
Examples for Windows developers

1. Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.

Example 1

On Windows, the user may customize the Accessibility Options available through the Control Panel settings.

  • StickyKeys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time.
  • FilterKeys enable users to slow the keyboard repeat rate. Software must support the user's setting for the repeat rate.
  • ToggleKeys enable users to hear tones when the Caps lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys are pressed.
  • High contrast support enables users to set the default system color and font scheme to one that is easier to read.
  • MouseKeys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

2. Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Example 2

The following is a list of the accessible keyboard shortcut keys on Windows:

  • 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.
Examples for Unix, CDE/Motif developers

1. Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.

Example 3
  • Sticky Keys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time.
  • CDE/Motif systems enable users to slow the keyboard repeat rate through the Slow Keys and Repeat Keys features.
  • Toggle Keys enable users to hear tones when the Caps lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys are pressed. CDE/Motif systems provide Toggle Keys function but do not provide a keyboard shortcut to enable and disable it.
  • Mouse Keys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
  • CDE/Motif systems reserve several key sequences. Six consecutive clicks of the Control key will enable and disable screen-reader numeric keypad functions. Six consecutive clicks of the Alt key are reserved for future AccessX use.

2. Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Example 4
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Sticky Keys is to press the Shift key 5 times.
  • The keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Slow Keys and Repeat Keys is to hold down either Shift key for 8 seconds.
  • Toggle Keys function does not have a keyboard shortcut to enable and disable defined.
  • Mouse Keys function does not have an accelerator key sequence to enable and disable defined.
  • CDE/Motif systems reserve several key sequences. Six consecutive clicks of the Control key will enable and disable screen-reader numeric keypad functions. Six consecutive clicks of the Alt key are reserved for future AccessX use.

Examples for Macintosh developers

On Macintosh systems the Accessibility Options are part of the Easy Access feature in the Control Panel.

1. Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.

Example 5
  • Sticky Keys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time.
  • Slow Keys enable users to slow the keyboard (similar to RepeatKeys on Windows).
  • Toggle Keys support is not provided on a Macintosh system.
  • Mouse Keys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

2. Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Example 6
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Sticky Keys is to press the Shift key 5 times.
  • Slow Keys are enabled on a Macintosh system through the Easy Access Control Panel.
  • Toggle Keys support is not provided on a Macintosh system.
  • Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Mouse Keys is Command-Shift-Clear.

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Required test techniques

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

Required test software

No additional software is required to test this checkpoint.

Windows test techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

Action Result
1. Test with StickyKeys enabled.
  1. Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the StickyKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and press OK. Select the “Use StickyKeys” option, select the Apply button, and then select the OK button.
  2. Switch the focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the StickyKeys feature using the keyboard shortcut (five clicks of the Shift key).
  4. Using only one finger, navigate throughout the application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g. Ctrl+P for print) using only one finger.
 Pass:

Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.
2. Test with FilterKeys enabled.
  1. Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the FilterKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option, enable the "Ignore repeated keystrokes" option, and select the OK button. Select the “Use FileterKeys” option, select the Apply button and then select the OK button.
  2. Switch focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the FilterKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the right Shift key for 8 seconds).
  4. Go to a text typing area in the application.
Pass:

Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

Fail:

Multiple copies of a letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.
3. Test with ToggleKeys enabled.
  1. Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the ToggleKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and select the OK button. Select the “Use ToggleKeys” option, select Apply, and then select OK.
  2. Switch focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the ToggleKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the NumLock key for 5 seconds).
  4. To test, take turns pressing the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
 Pass:

An audio tone sounds when the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys are pressed.

Fail:

No audio tone sounds when the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys are pressed.
4. Test with MouseKeys enabled.
  1. Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Mouse tab, select the “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and select OK. Select “Use MouseKeys”, select Apply, and then select OK.
  2. Switch the focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the MouseKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+NumLock).
  4. Use the arrow keys to move the mouse pointer.
Pass:

The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys.
5. Test with HighContrast enabled.
  1. Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Display tab, select the “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option,press OK. Select “Use High Contrast”, select Apply, and OK.
  2. Switch the focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the HighContrast function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+PrintScreen).
 Pass:

The color scheme for the displayed information is changed to the HighContrast scheme.

Fail:

The color scheme for the displayed information is not changed to the HighContrast scheme, or not fully changed to the high contrast scheme.

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Unix test techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

Action Result
1. Test with Sticky Keys enabled.
  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys.
  2. Switch the focus to the application.
  3. Activate the Sticky Keys feature using the keyboard shortcut (press the Shift key 5 times).
  4. Using only one finger, navigate in the application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g., Ctrl-P for print) using only one finger.
 Pass:

Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.
2. Test with Repeat Keys enabled.
  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the Repeat Keys keyboard shortcut.
  2. Switch focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the Repeat Keys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold either Shift key for 8 seconds).
  4. Activate a text typing area in the application. Press and hold a letter key on the keyboard.
 Pass:

Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

Fail:

Multiple copies of a letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.
3. Test with Toggle Keys enabled.
  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the Toggle Keys function.
  2. Switch focus back to the application.
  3. Activate the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
 Pass:

An audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.

Fail:

No audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
4. Test with Mouse Keys enabled.
  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable Mouse Keys.
  2. Switch focus back to the application.
  3. Move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys.
 Pass:

The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys.

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Macintosh test techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

Action Result
1. Test with Sticky Keys enabled.
  1. Turn Sticky Keys on from the Easy Access Control Panel.
  2. Switch focus to the application.
  3. Activate the Sticky Keys feature using the keyboard shortcut (5 clicks of the Shift key).
  4. Using only one finger, navigate in the application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g., Ctrl+P for print) using only one finger.
 Pass:

Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.
2. Test with Slow Keys enabled.
  1. Turn Slow Keys on from the Easy Access Control Panel.
  2. Switch focus to the application.
  3. Open a text typing area in the application. Press and hold a letter key on the keyboard.
 Pass:

Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a letter.

Fail:

Multiple copies of the letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a letter.
3. Test with Mouse Keys enabled.
  1. Turn Mouse Keys on from the Easy Access Control Panel.
  2. Switch focus to the application.
  3. Activate the Mouse Keys feature using the keyboard shortcut (Command-Shift-Clear).
  4. Move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
 Pass:

The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

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©2009 IBM Corporation

Last updated September 1, 2009.

Checkpoint 1.1

Software checklist

Checkpoint 2.1