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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
NA version 7.9.2000
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.
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.
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.
- (c) Extended services
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In order to promote wider computer accessibility, services should be extended for users, their helpers, and developers of accessibility hardware and software.
- (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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1-6. Keyguard
- A keyguard that can be fitted over the keyboard should be available.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2-4. Changing the functions assigned to buttons on the pointing device
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 4-3. Fax compliant computers
- It should be possible to send and receive character/graphic data between the computer and fax machines
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 4-11. Kanji dictionary appropriate to learning level of kanji
- A kanji dictionary appropriate to various learning levels of kanji should be supplied.
- 1-1. An alternative keyboard
- An alternative keyboard having equivalent functions to a standard keyboard should be supplied.
- 1-2. On-screen keyboard
- An on-screen keyboard should be supplied.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2-1. Alternative pointing device
- An alternative pointing device, which has equivalent functions to the mouse, should be supplied.
- 2-2. Touch-screen
- A touch-screen that attaches onto the standard screen should be supplied.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3-3. Braille printer
- A Braille printer which converts text information displayed on the screen into embossed Braille characters on paper should be supplied.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1-5. Providing product information
- Information about accessibility should be provided.
- 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.
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Last modified : Mon 31.Oct. 2000
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