Description of Accessibility Guidelines for use of computers by the people with disabilities and elderly

＜Japan／English＞

Ministry of International Trade and Industry Notification No.362

On June 5, 2000, the Accessibility Guideline for use of computer by the people with disabilities and elderly (MITI Notification No.362) was approved as a substitute for the Accessibility Guideline for use of Computers by people with disabilities (MITI Notification No.231, 1995).

June 5,2000
Acting Minister of International Trade and Industry
Minister of State Hirofumi Nakasone

Description of Accessibility Guidelines for use of computers by the people with disabilities and elderly（With explanation）

NA version 7.9.2000

I. Purpose
II. Coverage
III Basic principle
IV Specifications

I. Purpose

Advances in computerization have promoted the use of computers by individuals for collecting, creating and transmitting information. The computer is thus becoming an essential feature for an individual's daily life. It is therefore very important to make computers accessible to everyone, including disabled and elderly people.

There are currently a number of barriers which people with disabilities and elderly people encounter when they attempt to use computers:

(1) Barriers resulting from a disability: Difficulties in using input devices with a physical impairment; Difficulties in seeing display devices with a visual impairment; Difficulties in hearing audio information with a hearing impairment; Difficulties in understanding system operation with a learning or cognitive disability
(2) Barriers resulting from the weakening of physical and mental capabilities with age
(3) Barriers resulting from the temporary loss of mental and physical function due to disease or injury
(4) Barriers resulting from operating in a difficult environment, such as a dark or noisy location

This guideline has the purpose of encouraging the development of flexibility in the design of standard input/output devices such as keyboards and screen displays and also the production of alternative input/output devices. Thus the guideline intends to reduce the current barriers to the use of computers by disabled the elderly people as far as possible, and then, to improve their usability further.

[Comment] This guideline is based on discussions arising from briefing sessions on the previous guideline, which were held on from 1995 to 1997 all over the country, and also on findings of investigations undertaken in 1998 in order to revise the 1995 guideline. The new guideline expands the definition of barriers to computer operation, in order that more people will be able to take advantage of the power of the computer. This guideline covers not only (1) barriers to using computers caused by a disability, and (2) barriers caused by the weakening of physical and mental functions with age. This covers but also (3) barriers caused by the temporary loss of mental and physical function due to disease or injury, and (4) barriers caused by a difficult environment such as a dark or noisy location.

In addition, this guideline intends to encourage ongoing improvements in the usability of basic computer functions such as the keyboard and the mouse as input/selection devices, the monitor display as an output device, and input/output supporting software. These improvements are necessary for the effective use of the software and tools built in or attached to computers.

The functions of computers are expected to vary as technical innovation proceeds, and the integration of computers with our daily life progresses. Accordingly, it is important that this guideline be employed and adapted flexibly to meet these changing conditions.

II. Coverage

In this guideline, the term 'computer' will be taken to include the common forms that computers take, such as word processors, generic personal computers (PCs), workstations, and mainframe computers, along with their related peripheral devices. Peripheral devices can include standard input devices such as keyboards and pointing devices, and also special input devices such as a Braille keyboard, and standard output devices such as a screen display and printer, as well a special output devices such as a Braille printer.

[Comment] This guideline, as well as the older guideline, covers the central computer units and also peripheral devices such as the various input/output devices. On the other hand, current machines such as home electric appliances, ATMs, ticket vending machine, cellular phones, public information kiosks, and video game machines, are in fact controlled by computers, and have a CPU and memory, and input and output facilities. This guideline should also be applied in the development of machines such as these.

III. Basic principle

The principle underlying this guideline is that everyone should be able to enjoy the advantages of using computers without any restriction, including disabled and elderly people.

(a) Standardization of adaptive facilities: Adaptive facilities are features which can be added to make standard hardware and software usable by people who find it difficult or impossible to us them in their standard form. In order to address the barriers to operating computers as far as possible, adaptive facilities should be standardized and general-purpose computers should all be equipped with them.
(b) Promotion of alternative facilitie: Alternative facilities are features that are provided as an alternative to standard hardware and software, where adaptive facilities are not sufficient. The developers of software and peripheral devices should provide such alternative facilities.

[Comment] In this guideline, achieving wider accessibility is categorized into providing adaptive facilities and providing alternative facilities, in order to encourage the widest and most flexible interpretation of achieving accessibility, and to make the possibilities clear to developers.

When adaptive facilities are available on general-purpose computers, a wide range of user needs will be satisfied, and users will be able to purchase equipment without additional cost. Some general purpose computers already have adaptive features. This guideline recommends that such practice continues, and where equipment is not yet equipped with such features, that this be done as soon as possible.

Alternative facilities are necessary when adaptive facilities are not sufficient to deal with barriers to accessibility, for example, where users have difficulty with a standard keyboard and pointing device because of a physical disability. Because only a few users require alternative facilities and their needs are quite individual (e.g. various types of input switches are needed to cover a wide range of individual needs), there are cost implications in implementing these facilities. It is therefore important to design alternative facilities in such a way as they can be customized for individual users' needs by rehabilitation engineers. This will allow for the diversity of user needs and be more cost effective.
(c) Extended services: In order to promote wider computer accessibility, services should be extended for users, their helpers, and developers of accessibility hardware and software.

[Comment] Information about accessibility features is rarely seen in computer magazines or computer shops, possibly because accessibility features are not used by everyone, at all times. Those with reading difficulties due to visual impairment have additional difficulties getting this information. It follows that users and their helpers have difficulty obtaining information about accessibility products, and specialist manufacturers' opportunity for maximizing their profits is reduced. To resolve this problem, it will be important to establish a one-stop service, a Web portal site, through which users can acquire the information they need about accessibility products advertised on the Web. In addition, it will also be important that each developer have a web site linked to the portal site, offering information about accessibility products to users and their helpers. Developers should also establish a support system for their products if they have not already done so.
(d) Importance of an open system: It is important to create an open system with high compatibility and ease of connection between accessibility devices and commercial computers.

[Comment] It is very important to ensure that the user can continue to use their favoured input device or adaptive facility, which operates in the same way when the user renews their computer, operating system, or application software. It is also important that users have access to hardware, software, and data in the same way in different locations, such as at home, at school, or in the workplace, regardless of the equipment or machines they are using. An open system environment should thus be developed, with standardization of hardware, software, and the user interface, and compatibility of data, creating the same look and feel for the user.

1-1. Sequential input functions (single key input): When it is necessary to simultaneously press multiple keys, for example, when using the SHIFT, CTRL, or ALT keys with a character key to select a function, it should be possible to accomplish this by setting the system so that the action can be accomplished with the sequential pressing of the individual keys.

[Comment] Standard keyboards have keys which are normally used simultaneously with other keys to have their effect, such as the SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys, or Fn key plus a character key to enter a character (%, &, etc.), or to select a function. Some users, because of physical impairment, cannot perform this simultaneous pressing of keys but can press keys one by one with a single finger, a foot, or a stick held in the mouth. Therefore, a facility that allows user to accomplish all actions by pressing keys one by one in sequence is necessary.
1-2.Configuration of key repeats: It should be possible to configure the features of the key repeat function, including turning it on and off, and setting the start period and repeat rate. It should be possible to set the on /off feature for each key separately.

[Comment] Some users cannot release a pressed key quickly due to muscular weakness or palsy, so that unintended key entry can be caused by the key repeat function. Therefore, a function is necessary which can configure the key repeat to match the timing of users' keystrokes. The on/off state of the key repeat function needs to be specified for individual keys, because some users need for instance to turn off key repeat with character keys, but to retain it for the cursor key, and so on.
1-3.Configuration of key entry confirmation: Each key should be configurable so that confirmation of a keystroke only happens after a set time, and not immediately on first activation.

[Comment] Some users might accidentally press keys which are not the intended key, because of hand tremor or involuntary movement, so immediately acceptance of key entry produces an incorrect input. Other users will have the difficulty that their key entry is not accepted because they cannot press the key long enough, due to muscular weakness. Therefore, a facility is necessary which can configure how long a key should be pressed down before the keystroke is registered.
1-4.Operation using only the keyboard (keyboard navigation): All software operations and selections should be possible by pressing particular keys or a combination of keys.

[Comment] Some users cannot use a mouse because of muscle weakness, hand tremor, involuntary movement, or difficulty in seeing the mouse pointer on the screen because of visual impairment. They can only use the keyboard. Therefore, the facility is needed to make all software operations and selections possible by pressing particular keys or a combination of keys. For example, menu selection by means of a combination of the ALT key and a character key, moving amongst selected onscreen items by using the TAB key, printing by using CTRL key and 'p' key, and so on.
1-5. Feedback from keyboard activation: It should be possible to confirm successful key entry or the status of toggle keys (keys that change status back and forth, such as the Caps Lock key) at the time of the keystroke by audible or other signals.

[Comment] Some users can't get tell whether key entry has been successful because of paralysis or decline of fingertip sensitivity. Other users cannot be aware of key location, key repeat, the success of key entry, or the status of toggle keys because of visual impairment. Therefore, an audible feedback by sound or voice of a successful key entry is necessary. With toggle keys, it should be possible to differentiate between setting each state with an audible signal.
1-6. Keyguard: A keyguard that can be fitted over the keyboard should be available.

[Comment] A keyguard (made of plastic or metal) helps by guiding the user's hands to the keys, and by assisting them in making firm keystrokes without activating unwanted keys. When providing a keyguard, careful consideration is needed about safety and strength, including making the hole diameter appropriate to the key size, determining whether a taper is needed around the hole, and designing the way the guard is attached to the keyboard. The manufacturer of the computer should either produce the keyguard, or give information to users about the keyguard which is appropriate for that computer.
1-7. Means of key differentiation: Characters and symbols printed on the key top should be easily viewable. Jut is necessary for differentiation on principal keys, which perform as a clue. Alternatively, other means of key differentiation may be provided such as seal printed with large character or Braille on the key top.

[Comment] Some users find it difficult to read key labels due to weak eyesight, or the decline in vision with ageing, which results in decreased input efficiency and more frequent errors. It is thus necessary to have ways of making key labels more visible, by means of their size, weight, or contrast, or to provide key covers with large characters/symbols. For a totally blind user, it is necessary to have projections on certain keys (usually the letters 'F' or 'J', the number '5', and the function keys), or to provide key covers with Braille or large symbols.

2. Facilities to make pointing devices (mouse etc.) usable

2-1. Facility to configure the relative movement of the on-screen pointer: The movement of the on-screen pointer relative to the movement of the pointing device should be adjustable.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in controlling a pointing device precisely due to hand tremor or involuntary movement, or to move a pointing device over a long distance because of muscular weakness or limitation in the range of hand movement. Thus a facility is necessary which can adjust the ratio of movement of the on-screen pointer to the movement of the pointing device. This facility enables the a small movement of the pointing device to produce a large movement of the on-screen pointer, or a large movement of the pointing device to produce just a small movement of the on-screen pointer.
2-2. Facility for automatic moving of on-screen pointer: This facility enables the automatic moving of the on-screen pointer onto the active window, button, or menu.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in precisely controlling a pointing device due to hand tremor or involuntary movement, or have difficulty in moving a pointing device far because of muscular weakness or limitation in the range of hand movement. Thus, a facility is necessary which can lighten the physical load in operating the pointing device by providing the automatic moving of the on-screen pointer onto the active window, button or menu. It is necessary to be able to turn this facility on and off as needed.
2-3. Facility to alter the appearance of the on-screen pointer or the cursor: This facility enables the user to change the size, color and symbol for the on-screen pointer and cursor, to display the pointer track and to set up the blink rate for the pointer or cursor.

[Comment] Some users find it difficult to see the on-screen pointer regardless of its position on the screen because of weak sight. Also, if the color of pointer is similar to the background color, some users have difficulty detecting the pointer because of defects in color discrimination. Thus, a facility is necessary which can change the features of the on-screen pointer and cursor to make them more visible.
2-4. Changing the functions assigned to buttons on the pointing device: This facility makes it possible to change the function associated with the buttons on the pointing device, for example, the functions click, double click, and the use of the right or left button. In addition, the facility should allow the user to set up the double click speed.

[Comment] Some user have difficulty in the operation of pointing devices with their standard configuration, due to decline in muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement, and therefore experience reduction in efficiency caused by wrong selections. Thus, a facility is necessary which ensures the efficient operation of the pointing device for all users.
2-5. Operation of the on-screen pointer by means of the keyboard (mouse key): The keyboard should be able to substitute for pointing device operation such as moving of the on-screen pointer, clicking, double clicking, and dragging.

[Comment] Some users cannot use a mouse because of muscle weakness, hand tremor, involuntary movement, or difficulty in seeing the on-screen pointer because of visual impairment. They can only use the keyboard. Therefore, a facility is needed to make all software operations and selections possible by pressing particular keys or a combination of keys. For example, menu selection by means of combination of ALT key and character key, moving amongst selected onscreen items by using the TAB key, printing by using CTRL key and 'p' key, and so on. This facility should also enable the moving of the on-screen pointer, dragging, screen scrolling, and drawing by means of the keyboard alone.

3. Facilities to improve the visibility of the screen display

3-1. Facility to enlarge the screen display: This facility makes it possible to display some of the information on the screen at a higher magnification. The area to expand is to be specified with cursor key, or mouse. In addition, the facility enables the user to follow movement of pointer or cursor.

[Comment] For users who have weak sight or whose eyesight is weakening with age, characters, buttons, or icons are sometimes too small to distinguish. On the other hand, a user who has a narrow field of view can fail to register information on the screen because they cannot see the whole screen at once. In these cases, inefficiency in using the computer will result. Therefore, a facility is necessary which enables an enlarged display of part of the information on the screen. Additionally, users should be able to specify the area to be expanded as needed by using a cursor key or mouse, and to be able to follow the movement of the on-screen pointer and cursor. Users can with this method see an enlarged display when performing menu selection or word processing. It will also be necessary to easily restore the screen to normal, since the expanded display makes it difficult to appreciate the nature of the full screen layout.
3-2. Function to change the colors displayed on the screen: This facility makes it possible to change the color information displayed on a screen.

[Comment] For some users who have a vision defect related to color or weakening eyesight with ageing, it is sometime difficult to make sense of information on the screen with particular combinations of colors of background, characters, buttons, or icons. This leads to inefficiency due to mistakes made. Thus, a facility is necessary which makes it possible to reverse colors on screen and to change the colors and contrast flexibly. It is also important to be able easily to restore the original colors, since there are times when information is conveyed by means of color.

4. Facilities to make the entire system usable

4-1. User-friendliness of the computer: User-friendliness features include making it easy to use the power switch and reset switch, to insert and remove portable media storage devices, and easy interconnection with peripheral devices.

[Comment] It is difficult for some users to press the computer power switch and reset switch, to insert and remove portable media storage devices, or to carry out the interconnection of peripheral devices. This applies to users who have muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, involuntary movement, or decline in strength with ageing. In addition, it is sometime difficult to get the position or direction of a connection right, where users have a visual impairment or a decline in eyesight with ageing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the position and shape of principal switches, to make them easy to use, and make it not easy to carry out an unwanted operation. It is also necessary to consider the position of the insertion slot for floppy disks and other portable media, and the method of insertion, in order to ensure it is easy to carry out correctly. It is important to take account of the position, color, and shape of connectors in order to be sure they are easy to interconnect correctly.
4-2. User-friendliness of peripheral devices: The user-friendliness of external storage devices and input/output devices is an important consideration, and their interconnection should be easy to carry out.

[Comment] When there are switches on peripheral devices, users with muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, involuntary movement, or decline in strength with ageing may have difficulty in operating them. It should be possible to control the switches of peripheral devices from the main unit of the computer. It is necessary to be able to confirm the status of the peripheral device (such as out of paper, needing to replace an ink cartridge, error information) on the main computer. As with switches on the main computer, the position, shape, and user-friendliness of switches on peripheral devices is an important consideration.
4-3. Fax compliant computers: It should be possible to send and receive character/graphic data between the computer and fax machines

[Comment] It can be difficult to operate a printer for users with muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement. Also it is difficult to confirm the contents of printed material for people who have a visual impairment. Thus, it is necessary to equip the computer with a fax modem and related software to enable the sending and receiving of text/graphic data directly without printing on paper. For users who have a hearing impairment and cannot hear audio information such messages about the receiving telephone number, bad line conditions, and the fax not being switched on. It is thus important that the facility to display the sending status of the fax is available. Also, it is important to confirm automatically that the fax has been received.
4-4. Adaptation to various environments where the equipment will be used: Hardware should be designed with consideration of its use in various environments. Consideration should also be given to its portability.

[Comment] Despite the daily need for a computer by many users with disabilities, there will be places where the computer cannot be used.For instance where there could be problems of causing the malfunction of other equipment, where it is not practical to set it up, where there is no power supply, and so on. However all functions possible should be taken to ensure usability in different environments, such as water-proofing, noise-proofing, size and weight saving, power saving, and providing a computer which can be set up in a variety of different situations. Also a facility is needed which automatically/manually adjusts the brightness of the display and volume level (including turning it off) according to the environment. Furthermore, in order to make full use of the Internet, it will be necessary to develop telecommunication equipment like cellular.
4-5. Multiple output modes: The status of the hardware/software and any warnings should be expressible to the user by multiple means such as screen display, voice, or vibration.

[Comment] Some users cannot hear audible warning signals and voice information due to hearing impairment or decline of hearing with ageing, and so cannot respond adequately, leading to inefficiency. In addition, some users with visible impairment or declining eyesight due to ageing cannot make use of visual information on the screen such as error messages, and consequently are inefficient in their use of the computer. Therefore, a facility is necessary to provide a blinking display when an audible alarm or audio information is put out, and to provide the information by means of sound or voice when notices such as error messages are displayed on the screen. In order to cope with the case of impairment of both vision and hearing, a facility is needed to convey warnings through tactile output such as vibration.
These functions will help people with intellectual disability to use computer equipment,also.
4-6. Function to restore the previous state of the system before a mistaken operation: This facility would make it possible to cancel the current status of the software, and restore the previous status, which has been changed mistakenly.

[Comment] It is often the case that an unnecessary character has been entered, or the screen display changed as the result of a mistaken operation of the pointing device or the keyboard. It is often the case that correcting the mistake requires a great deal of effort, because the operation could take a considerable time due to muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement. With visual impairment, recognizing the current status of screen can take a significant time because the screen may be less visible or invisible. Thus, a facility is necessary which will restore the previous state of the system with a simple keystroke.
4-7. Hierarchical menu structures: When a large number of items is displayed under a menu, or in a hierarchical structure, a way should be devised to provide more user-friendly output.

[Comment] It is an effort for some users, who have muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement, to press keys or operate pointing devices. Given this, as the number of menu item increases, and the number of activation needed also increases, the usability of the system may decrease. On the other hand, it is difficult for some users, whose visual impairment makes the screen less visible or invisible, or who have a decline in understanding due to ageing, to comprehend the complex hierarchical structure of nested menus, and to be aware of their current position within that structure. Thus, regarding the content of menus and the hierarchical structure of menus, it is important to devise ways to make the output as user-friendly as possible, and to display only frequently used menu items or functions. In addition, a facility should be provided to carry out common functions or menu items directly, by assigning them to a certain key or combination of keys.
4-8. Facility to restrict access to some icons, buttons, or characters: The ability to hide or restrict access to specified icons, buttons, or characters should be provided.

[Comment] Some users may get confused with the number of icons or buttons displayed on the screen due to intellectual disability or ageing, and thus suffer a reduction in the usability of the system for them. Therefore, a facility is needed to hide, or restrict access to, icons, buttons, menu item, or characters according to the user's needs or understanding. This function would in fact be useful regardless of the kind of disability of the user, and could be useful for all beginners.
4-9. Function to store the configuration of the operating system and application software: This facility would make it possible to store the configuration of the operating system and applications, so the configuration could be set up automatically whenever the computer is started.

[Comment] Usability is reduced if the user who has a temporary disability or injury should set up a usable configuration every time they start up the computer. The same problem occurs when multiple users share a computer. Therefore, a facility is necessary that stores a user's optimum configuration, and allows them to operate the computer in the same configuration on another occasion. The configuration could be identified by means of a password. For users with muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement it may be difficult to input a password with a standard keyboard. Here, automatic identification by means of an exclusive IC-card, iris recognition, or fingerprint recognition, is necessary.
4-10. Word and sentence prediction facilities: Computers should be equipped a facility which attempts to predict and display the rest of the word or sentence the user is trying to type in when they input the first few characters.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty with input due to muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement or have difficulty seeing the keys due to visual impairment. This leads to inefficiency of character input. A facility is needed which has information about frequently used words and sentences, and which can display character strings as candidates for the text that the user is trying to type in.
4-11. Kanji dictionary appropriate to learning level of kanji: A kanji dictionary appropriate to various learning levels of kanji should be supplied.

[Comment] In the case of a user having a limited knowledge of kanji, when a number of unknown kanji are displayed as candidates for kana-kanji conversion, it will be difficult for the user to understand the meaning, to select the appropriate and kanji. Therefore, a kana-kanji conversion dictionary appropriate to the user's learning level is necessary.

B. Facilities to be provided as alternatives to standard hardware and software
　　(Alternative functions)

1. Alternatives to the keyboard

1-1. An alternative keyboard: An alternative keyboard having equivalent functions to a standard keyboard should be supplied.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty inputting information with a standard keyboard due to muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement. Thus, an alternative keyboard having equivalent functions as a standard keyboard is necessary. For example, for users who are not able to perform precise movements on a keyboard, a large keyboard is useful. For users who have a restriction on the range of movement of their hands due to muscular weakness or paralysis, a smaller than standard keyboard is effective. Alternative keyboards need to be able to have different sizes and arrangements of keys, according to the part of the body (knee, toe, etc.) used to create input, as well as the facilities to make the keyboard fully usable, as set out in section IV-A-I above. Optical input keyboards, which carry out key entry by means of a directed laser beam, and encoding (such as Morse code) keyboards are also useful alternative keyboards.
1-2. On-screen keyboard: An on-screen keyboard should be supplied.

[Comment] Some users are restricted in the range of movement of their hands due to severe physical impairment and also have difficulty in input by means of multiple keys with a standard keyboard. An on-screen keyboard (an interactive keyboard displayed on the screen) is useful for these people. This can input characters/symbols with selection by a pointing device or a switch. In addition, a facility is necessary which enables changing the size and arrangement of keys, the switch input method (direct selection, scan input, etc.), and the hiding temporarily of the on-screen keyboard. A facility is also necessary which registers a key activation when the on-screen pointer dwells on the key for a determined period.
1-3. A Braille input facility: Software, which uses a part of the standard keyboard as a Braille keyboard, or a separate Braille keyboard, should be supplied.

[Comment] Some users who cannot see the key layout on the keyboard due to visual impairment, and who cannot remember the key layout, will be impaired in their ability to key in information, and will suffer reduced input efficiency. Therefore, a Braille keyboard (a keyboard with which to input a Braille character with a combination of six or eight keys) is needed, which enables efficient input for users who are familiar with Braille. A standard keyboard may be used as a Braille keyboard with appropriate software. For this to work, it is necessary that the keyboard has a mechanism which allows it to be able to register six or eight keys pressed simultaneously.
1-4. Facility for voice input: A facility that carries out the operations of the computer and the input of text by means of voice, should be supplied.

[Comment] Users who have difficulty in input with keyboard due to muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement, or who have difficulty seeing the keys due to visual impairment, will suffer reduced input efficiency. A facility is necessary for these people that enables them to select an item from a menu and input text by means of voice recognition. In order to recognize speech accurately despite the speech being non-standard due to disability, the recognition accuracy of existing systems should be improved.
1-5. Facility to support character input with voice feedback: A facility should be available to echo back with voice output the character the user has just input. The type of voice and its volume should be configurable by the user. During input, (1) key entry, (2) candidates for conversion, and (3) the chosen character, should be able to be confirmed. Homophonic kanji should be distinguishable by means of voice feedback. The voice dictionary should be modifiable by user.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in seeing the screen display due to visual impairment or because their bedside is a long distance from the screen. Thus, a facility is necessary which speaks out each character as it is entered, to enable the user to confirm they are inputting correctly. This facility is particularly needed to enable users to differentiate between homophonic kanji, in order to write correctly using a mixture of kanji and kana. In addition, the facility is necessary to output multiple voices (various male and female voice types) in order to differentiate hiragana and katakana, full size and half size characters, upper-case and lower case, and alter the way to read registered in voice dictionary for user's comprehension.

2. Alternatives to the pointing device

2-1. Alternative pointing device: An alternative pointing device, which has equivalent functions to the mouse, should be supplied.

[Comment] It is difficult for some users to operate a standard pointing device such as a mouse due to muscular weakness, paralysis, hand tremor, or involuntary movement. Thus, an alternative pointing device that has equivalent functions to a mouse is necessary. Examples of such alternative pointing devices are multiple switches (for moving in up/down and right/left, for click, for drag, etc.), an eye tracking device, which detects the direction of gaze and moves the pointer accordingly, and a headpointing device which detects movement of the head and moves the pointer.
2-2. Touch-screen: A touch-screen that attaches onto the standard screen should be supplied.

[Comment] Users who cannot understand the correspondence between input action and movement of the on-screen cursor due to intellectual disability might not be able to use a standard input device. A touch-screen is needed for these users, on which the user selects buttons and menu items displayed on the screen directly by touching the screen with finger or stylus. It is necessary that the configuration of input sensitivity of screen and selection of input mode (whether pressing or releasing is to count as an input) is available, in order not to enter mistakenly with just an initial touch when the user has hand tremor, or, in order to make an entry with just a brief touch when the user cannot press down firmly due to muscular weakness.

3. Alternative output methods

3-1. Facility for reading out screen display: A facility for voice output of text information displayed on the screen and documents such as e-mail should be available. It should be possible to respite the voice output and to adjust its speed.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in seeing the screen display due to visual impairment or because the display is at a distance form their bedside. For them, a facility is needed which can, with voice output, read out information displayed on the screen, in documents or in e-mail. In order to read out writing which uses a mixture of kanji and kana (including English words) exactly, a dictionary and an English dictionary including personal names and geographical names is necessary. Facilities for the adjustment of reading speed, skipping text and pausing the reading out of the text will be needed.
3-2. Braille display and tactile display: A Braille display, which converts text information on the screen into a Braille presentation, should be supplied. Also, a tactile display should be supplied which displays graphic information by means of raised portions on a smooth surface.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in seeing the display due to visual impairment. In this case, reading out the screen display text by means of voice may be useful, but such text as numbers and place names may not be pronounced correctly enough. For users who are familiar with Braille, a Braille display can represent Braille characters by means of a board with six or eight raising and lowering pins which can take on the shapes of the Braille characters. A Braille display allows the user to read numeral and character information with certainty at their own pace. For users who have impairment in both sight and hearing, a tactile display, which displays graphics and line drawings by means of a smooth surface which can have raised portions created on it dynamically, is needed to help them receive graphic information.
3-3. Braille printer: A Braille printer which converts text information displayed on the screen into embossed Braille characters on paper should be supplied.

[Comment] Some users have difficulty in reading ordinary printed matter due to visual impairment. For users who are familiar with Braille, a Braille printer is needed, that can print out text in the form of embossed Braille characters on paper. For this, Braille transcribing software is needed, which translates the character codes into Braille code for sending to the Braille printer. Also a facility is needed for outputting graphics and line drawings by embossing their shapes onto paper.

C. General considerations

1.Service

1-1. Disclosure of interface specifications: In order to support the development of alternative input/output devices and software, the specifications of hardware and software connections with external devices should be openly available.

[Comment] To design and develop alternative keyboards, alternative pointing devices, special switches, and Braille printers, it is essential to have the specifications of the connections necessary with computer hardware and software. Thus, developers should make freely available the hardware specifications of the main unit of the computer and of peripheral device, and the relevant software specifications of the operating system.
1-2. Considerations in labelling the features on a computer: The characters and symbols indicating the features on a computer should be chosen so as to be as clear and simple as possible, keeping the a minimum the use of technical terms, abbreviations, and foreign words.

[Comment] For a beginner using a computer, the characters and symbols indicating the features on a computer can give the impression that it will be very difficult to operate it. Thus, it is important to use clear and simple expressions and minimize the use of technical terms, abbreviations, and foreign words.
1-3. Considerations in make information presented widely understandable: Information should be presented both in visual and audible form, so that images, voice, or text can be accessed by multiple means. For example, adding text captions to images or photographs, subtitling voice output with text, and explaining not only by means of text but also with graphs and tables. And the operation of the computer should be made as understandable as possible, providing multiple ways for the user to move through the information provided, and enhancing support functions such as wizards (interactive guidance) and help facilities.

[Comment] When information is displayed only as an image or a photograph, the user with visual impairment will not be able to access the contents despite using screen reading software. For this reason it is necessary to add text captions to images and photographs. For users with color vision impairments, because identifying by means of color alone will present difficulties, so it is important not to present information solely in terms of color (e.g. 'Press the red button), but also to explain with text and to use colors with a high contrast. When information is presented only in terms of music and voice, users with a hearing impairment or in a noisy environment may not be able to make use of it. In this case, what is needed is to add a version or an explanation what is being presented as text. For users with limited literacy who also have hearing problems, it will be necessary to add an explanation in sign language or as animation. It is important to show multiple possible candidates for the next step in the process of getting the information, and to enhance support functions such as wizards and a help facility that is useful when the user encounters trouble. The creators of the information should add these facilities to the information systems they provide.
1-4. Considerations for the usability of manuals: Manuals should as far as possible use clear and simple expressions, minimizing the use of technical terms, abbreviations, and foreign words, and be accessible by multiple means.

[Comment] Providing a manual, which users can fully understand, is important in order to ensure the efficient use of the computer. In the manual, it is important to use clear and simple expression as far as possible, keeping the use of technical terms, abbreviations and foreign words to a minimum. If such terms should be used, consideration should be taken to ensure understanding, for example, by providing a glossary. It is also important to supply the software needed for printing material out in Braille format, or to print the text enlarged for people with visual impairment.
1-5. Providing product information: Information about accessibility should be provided.

[Comment] In order to help users to purchase computers appropriate to their purpose, their environment, their degree of disability, and relevant information about products is necessary. It is important to provide information such as product specifications, connection possibilities with other suppliers' equipment, tips about usage, notes about online information and support services and relevant Web sites, and common questions and answers. Information is needed both for the user, and for people who support the user who have more technical expertise.
1-6. An information desk and easy means of inquiry: An information desk and an easy means of inquiry should be set up by the manufacturer, and notice about this given in the manual and in other user documentation. It should be possible for users to make enquiries by multiple means, such as telephone, fax, and e-mail.

[Comment] Ways to communicate effectively with manufacturers will vary with the kind of disability users have. For example, users with a hearing impairment or a speech defect will have difficulty making inquiries by telephone, so for them, fax and e-mail will be more effective. For users with visual impairment, presentation of information on the Web is not very helpful, but contact by telephone is effective. It will be necessary to make the information desk accessible by different means of inquiry.

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Last modified : Mon 31.Oct. 2000
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