Week 03 Day 2
User Needs Summary
[ISO/IEC TR 29138-1 Information Technology - Accessibility
Considerations for People with Disabilities - Part 1: User Needs
Summary, available from: ISO/IEC
JTC 1 / SWG- Accessibility Document N339,
2008-06-19]
The User Needs Summary is:
- the first deliverable of SWG-A;
- a document that gathers accessibility needs of ICT users,
including those with the widest range of capabilities; and
- a document that can be used to analyze whether or not an ICT
accessibility standard fully takes into account the user needs.
[According to: Introduction to the User Needs Summary ISO/IEC JTC
1 / SWG- Accessibility (Document N209, 2006-09-22)]
High Level Structure of USER Needs
The following groupings and
italicized notes are mine, the numbers come from the User Needs Survey:
Perceptions [inputs to the USER?]
1. The ability to perceive visual information
2. The ability to perceive auditory information
[what about perceiving tactile information ?]
3. The ability to perceive the existence and location of actionable
components:
4. The ability to perceive the status of controls and indicators:
5. The ability to perceive feedback from operations:
Actions [outputs from the USER?]
6. The ability to be able to invoke and carry out all actions including
maintenance and setup
[inputting data is just seen as a
component of carrying out an action]
7. The ability to complete actions and tasks within the time allowed
8. The ability not to accidentally activate actions
9. The ability to recover from errors
15. The ability to use their AT to control the product
Internals [not really processing by the USER! More like
combinations of outputs and inputs?]
12. The ability to be able to efficiently operate product [see also 7]
13. The ability to understand how to use product (including discovery
and activation of any access features needed)
14. The ability to understand the output or displayed material
(even after they perceive it accurately)
Miscelaneous Needs
10. To have equivalent security and privacy
11. Not to have using systems cause health risks (e.g. seizure, etc.)
16. Additional Cross Cutting Issues
NOTES:
A. Attempts to provide structure to
these 16 categories don't work well because they were developed
bottom-up (by collecting individual needs) rather than top down (based
on some theoretical set of categories). There have been many different
structures before this one. Likewise this document has a long history
that includes:
B. Some of these 16 categories exist
at a more detailed level than others (e.g. categories 1 and 2 are
modality specific), while some potential categories are absent (there
is no category dealing with perceiving
tactile information. This is a further result of the bottom-up
development.
C. The focus is on needs that
should be met by accessible systems - thus user needs for
processing are worded as needs that are to be aided by the
system, which invovle user needs for combinations of inputs and outputs.
D. This is version 1.0 because it is relatively stable and relatively
complete, but is expected to be subject to changes including additions.
Detailed USER Needs
[Taken from the User Needs Summary
without many comments]
1. The ability to perceive visual information:
Some users need ...
1. visual information
also available in auditory mode
2. visual information also available in tactile mode
3. sufficient brightness for visually presented
information
4. any information (other than the color itself) that
is presented through color to be also presented in another way that
does not rely on color
5. to change the colors of information
6. text readable with reduced visual acuity
7. information within viewable range of those of
short stature or seated in wheelchairs
8. to avoid reflective glare
9. to avoid glare from excessive
brightness
10. to pause, and re-play information presented using
audio, video, or animation
11. to perceive foreground visual information in the
presence of background
12. to see and hear text simultaneously
2. The ability to perceive auditory information:
Some users need ...
1. auditory
information to be also available in visual mode
2. auditory information to be also available in
tactile mode
3. to adjust the volume to a suitable level
4. auditory events, alerts etc, to be multi-frequency
5. when vibration is used as a substitute for
different auditory events, then some need vibration to have different
vibration patterns (rather than
vibration frequency or strength)
6. multi-channel auditory information available in
monaural form
7. to pause, and re-play audio information
8. to perceive foreground audio information in the
presence of background (including ambient noise)
9. to adjust the audio characteristics (e.g. pitch,
balance)
3. The ability to perceive the existence and location of actionable
components:
Some users need ...
1. to locate and
identify all keys and controls via non-visual means without activating
them
2. to have non-actionable elements (logos, decorative
details) not look or feel like buttons or controls
3. sufficient landmarks and cues to be able to
quickly re-find
all keys and controls during use
4. controls that visually contrast with their
surroundings
5. controls to be in places where they can be easily
found with low vision and with no sight
6. controls within viewable range of people of short
stature or seated in wheelchairs
7. focus and pointing indicators that are visible
with low vision
8. information describing the layout of the
operational parts
9. information and layout of controls to be consistent
4. The ability to perceive the status of controls and indicators:
Some users need ...
1. a non-visual
equivalent to any visual indicators or operational cues, designed
(power light) or intrinsic (e.g. visual movements)
2. a non-audio indicator for any auditory indicators
or operational cues, designed (e.g. beeps, lights) or intrinsic (e.g.
machine sounds, visual movements)
3. a non-tactile alternative to any subtle tactile
feedback
4. alternatives that are different, when different
signals are used (e.g. diferent ring tones, or tactile or visual
indicators)
5. visual indicators (e.g. LEDs, on screen
indicators, mouse cursors) that are visible with low vision
6. controls and indicators that are perceivable
without relying on color
7. sufficient quality (e.g. volume, direction,
clarity, frequency) for audio cues
8. tactile indicators (i.e. for those who need
indicator to be both non-visual and non-auditory) 9.
information within viewable range of people of short stature or seated
in wheelchairs
5. The ability to perceive feedback from operations:
Some users need ...
1. feedback to be audio or tactile (i.e. non-visual)
2. feedback to be tactile (i.e. both non-visual and
non-auditory)
3. a visual or auditory alternative to any subtle
tactile feedback
4. alternatives that are different, when different
signals are used
(e.g. diferent ring tones, or tactile or visual indicators)
5. visual feedback that is obvious with low vision
6. feedback that is perceivable without relying on
color
7. to adjust the colors to make things easier ro read
8. sufficient quality (e.g. volume, direction,
clarity, frequency) for audio feedback
9. audio feedback that does not require tone
differentiation
10. visual or tactile feedback to occur at the same
location as the control
11. clear feedback of connector engagement (e.g.
power cord, PCI card, USB connector, etc.)
12. feedback to be predictable
6. The ability to be able to invoke and carry out all actions
including maintenance and setup
Some users need ...
1. to operate all
functionality using only tactilely discernable controls coupled with
non-visual feedback
2. to access all functionality without having to use
touch or very light touch activated controls
3. to fully operate the product without requiring a
pointing device
4. to access all computer software functionality from
the keyboard (or keyboard emulator) with only visual feedback
5. an alternative method to operate any speech
controlled functions
6. a method to fully operate product that does not
require simultaneous actions
7. a method to fully operate product that does not
require much force
8. a method to fully operate product that does not
require much continuous force
9. a method to fully operate product that does not
require much stamina, (includes sustained or repeated activity without
sufficient rest)
10. a method to fully operate product that does not
require much reach, (weakness,, stature or wheelchair)
11. a method to fully operate product that does not
require tight grasping
12. a method to fully operate product that does not
require pinching
13. a method to fully operate product that does not
require twisting of the wrist
14. a method to fully operate product that does not
require direct body contact
15. a method to fully operate product that does not
require much accuracy of movement
16. to adjust the speed and acceleration
of input devices
17. to operate a product with only a left
or only a right hand
18. to operate a product without use of
hands
19. to operate a product using only speech
20. to use alternatives to biometric means of
identification
21. to use alternative modalities to text imput
22. to have similar patterns of activation for
similar actions
23. a visual indication of keyboard shortcuts
7. The ability to complete actions and tasks within the time allowed
Some users need ...
1. much more time to
read dsplayed information
2. much more time to complete actions - and no
feeling of time pressure
3. information necessary to plan their actions in
advance
4. the ability to avoid visual or auditory
distractions that prevent focusing on a task
8. The ability not to accidentally activate actions
Some users need ...
1. products and controls designed
so they can be explored without activation, either tactilely or through
keyboard navigation
2. to operate controls with tremor or spasmodic
movements without inadvertent entries
3. controls that are not activates by a slight touch
or when they receive keyboard focus
9. The ability to recover from errors
Some users need ...
1. notification when the product detects errors made
by the user
2. unambiguous guidance on what to do in the event of
a reported error
3. a means (e.g. a mechanism) to go back and undo the
last thing(s) they did
4. to reset (to initial condition)
10. To have equivalent security and privacy
Some users need ...
1. private listening
capability when using audio alternatives to visual information in
public places
2. protection of the privacy of their information
even if they are not able to do the “expected” things to protect it
themselves
3. security of their information even if they are not
able to do the “expected” things to protect it themselves
11. Not to have using systems cause health risks (e.g. seizure,
etc.)
Some users need ...
1. products where
hazards are obvious and easy to avoid, and difficult to trigger
2. products that do not rely on specific senses or
fine movement to avoid injury
3. to use products safely without seeing
hazards or warnings
4. to use products safely without hearing
hazard warnings
5. to avoid visual patterns that cause them to have
seizures
6. to avoid auditory patterns that cause them to have
seizures
7. products that do not give off electromagnetic
radiation that they are allergic to
8. products that do not give off chemicals that they
are allergic to
12. The ability to be able to efficiently operate product
Some users need ...
1. alternate modes of
operation which are effective given the time constraints of the task
2. keyboard navigation that follows a meaningful
sequence through form controls
3. to increase the rate of audio alternatives (unless
there are minimal audio alternatives)
4. system level accessibility preference settings
that apply across applications
5. to have applications not override or defeat
built-in accessibility features
6. accessibility
preference settings preserved unless explicitly changed
7. preference settings to change immediately
preferably without requiring system reboot
8. to save and restore individual preference settings
9. accessibility functions that can be returned to an
initial state individually or together after every user
10. hardcopy documents to be usable with one hand or
mouthstick
11. structure when navigating long audio material
12. consistent and predictable user interfaces
13. The ability to understand how to use product (including
discovery and activation of any access features needed)
Some users need ...
1. to get
overview and orient themselves to product and functions/parts without
relying on visual presentation or markings on product
2. wording, symbols, and indicators used on products
that is as easy to
understand as possible given the device and task
3. products or services to use standard conventions,
words and
symbols for their culture (cross -cultural if possible)
4. clear and easy activation mechanisms for any
access features
5. navigation that supports different thinking styles
6. to understand product if they have
trouble thinking hierarchically
7. any text read aloud to them
8. steps for operation minimized and clearly described
9. interfaces that limit the memorization required of
the user to operate them successfully
10. cues to assist them in multi-step operations
11. simple interfaces that only require them to deal
with the controls they need. (advanced or optional controls removed in
some fashion)
12. each function on its own key rather than having
keys change their functions but look/feel the same
13. to know that a product is usable by them and how
to set it up to work for them
14. information presented in an alternative to
text based representation
14. The ability to understand the output or displayed
material (even after they perceive it accurately)
Some users need ...
1. textual material to be worded as clearly and
simply as possible
2. text, illustrations and diagrams in spoken
form
3. not to have device noise or regular audio output
interfere with ability to understand accessib
4. visual information generated by access features
(such as captions) not occur simultaneously with other visual
information they must view
5. Image resolution and speed be sufficient to
understand any sign language presented
visual information
to be presented auditorially
6. to slow audio, video, or animated informaiton down
slightly
7. to replay, pause, change speed in order to
understand informaiton
8. to replay auditory information.
9. enlargable text wordwrap so that it stays on
screen and is understandable
10. Feedback using pictures or symbols
11. to silence audio output
12. information presented as an alternative to text
13. textual information presented using figures of
speech (such as abbreviations, idioms, metaphors, etc.) is also
presented in a way that does not require understanding of those figures
of speech
14. information to be available regarding the meaning
associated with colors and symbols
15. The ability to use their AT to control the product
Some users need ...
1. that the product not to
interfere with the AT
2. to use AT with other devices (e.g.
Alternate display, amplifiers, or alternate controls)
3. full and efficient functional control of a product
available using their AT, including pass-through of user feedback and
notifications such as error messages
4. an AT available that will work with new
technologies, at the
time of release of the new technology
16. Additional Cross Cutting Issues
Some users need ...
1. new technologies
to be accessible when they are released
2. Tto access the controls that allow them
to turn on and adjust the built in accessibility features
3. an accessible path and the ability to position
ones self within reach of installed products
4. timely access to trained customer service
personnel (e.g. Help Desk)
5. accessible training and support materials
6. electronic access to copyrighted and otherwise
protected material
7. the product to be usable by those with multiple
disabilities
8. a means to provide feedback about improvements to
accessibility to meet their particular needs
9. product accessibility information to be
disseminated to distributors, retailers, installers, system
integrators, customer organizations, and people with disabilities
10. to have their accessibility functions available
at all times, without disruption