This is a draft user needs analysis to serve as an input into Web Technology Accessibility Guidelines. It is the first stage of execution of the Plan for WTAG Development. It may or may not be prove desirable to prioritize needs in order to yield manageable sets.

• Content perceivable in form other than produced by author
  • Alternate content can be provided
    • Text alternatives
    • Visual alternative (2.1 Auditory information also available in visual form, 4.1 Non-visual equivalent to any visual indicators or operational cues, designed (power light) or intrinsic (e.g visual movements)., 4.4 When different signals are used (e.g. different ring tones, or tactile or visual indicators) then some need alternatives that are different too., 5.3 Visual or auditory alternative to any subtle tactile feedback.)
    • Auditory alternative (JTC1 1.1 Visual information also available in auditory form, 4.2 Non-audio indicator for any auditory indicators or operational cues, designed (e.g. beeps, lights) or intrinsic (e.g. machine sounds, visual movements)., 4.4 When different signals are used (e.g. different ring tones, or tactile or visual indicators) then some need alternatives that are different too., 5.1 Feedback to be audio or tactile (i.e.non-visual)., 5.3 Visual or auditory alternative to any subtle tactile feedback., 13.7 Any text read aloud to them.)
    • Tactile alternative (JTC1 1.2 Visual information also available in tactile form, 2.2 Auditory information also available in tactile form, 4.3 Non-tactile alternative to any subtle tactile feedback., 4.4 When different signals are used (e.g. different ring tones, or tactile or visual indicators) then some need alternatives that are different too., 4.8 Tactile indicators (i.e. for those who need indicator to be both non-visual and non-auditory), 5.1 Feedback to be audio or tactile (i.e.non-visual)., 5.2 Feedback to be tactile (i.e. both non-visual and non-auditory))
  • Content encoded in manner that permits machine transformation
  • Different alternate content for different signals (5.4 When different signals are used (e.g. different ring tones, or tactile or visual indicators) then some need alternatives that are different too.)
  • Alternate content findable
    • In same time and location as control (5.10 Visual or tactile feedback to occur at the same location as the control)
• Enable direct perception of output for people with wide range of perception disabilities
  • Visual presentation perceivable across a range of vision impairments (4.5 Visual indicators (e.g. LEDs, on screen indicators, mouse cursors) that are visible with low vision., 5.5 Visual feedback that is obvious with low vision)
    • Luminosity contrast sufficient (JTC1 1.3 Sufficient brightness for visually presented information (luminance for displays -- illumination for printed)
    • Hue contrast sufficient for certain color perception disorders (4.6 Controls and indicators that are perceivable without relying on color, 5.6 Feedback perceivable without relying on color)
    • Pointers and cursors can be perceived (3.7 Focus and pointing indicators that are visible with low vision.)
      • Resize
      • Recolor
      • Reshape
• On-request location indicator
  • Auditory content perceivable (4.7 Sufficient quality (e.g. volume, direction, clarity, frequency) for audio cues., 5.8 Sufficient quality (e.g. volume, direction, clarity, frequency) for audio feedback.)
    • Volume
    • Direction
    • Clarity
    • Frequency (5.9 Audio feedback that does not require tone differentiation)
  • Tactile indications perceivable (not web? But probably will be)
    • Distinct enough to accommodate reduced sensitivity
• Adjustability of output
  • Visual presentation can be adjusted to meet needs of user (1.7 Text readable with reduced visual acuity)
    • Text can be resized
      • Content format allows resize
      • Author provides resize feature
    • Resize of text does not break presentation
      • Layout resizes with text (zoom)
      • Layout self-adjusts to text resizes (reflow) (not fixed units)
    • Color scheme can be changed (JTC1 1.6 Ability to change the colors of information., 5.7 Ability to adjust the colors to make things easier to read)
      • Content format defines color style scheme that user or user agent can override
      • Author provides color switch options
    • Luminosity contrast can be changed
      • User agent exaggerates luminosity differences
      • Author provides color switch options
    • Typeface, font weight, font style can be changed
    • Line / word / letter spacing can be changed
    • Margins can be changed
    • Line length can be changed
    • Justification can be changed
  • Auditory content can be adjusted to meet needs of user
    • User can adjust volume level (2.3 Ability to adjust the volume to a suitable level.)
    • Contrast between foreground and background audio is sufficient
    • Unnecessary background audio can be muted separately from the foreground audio
  • User can control time-based media
    • User can pause, stop, replay media (1.11 Ability to pause, and re-play information presented using audio, video or animation.)
  • Send output to alternate device, for better accessibility or to manage security / privacy in public space to manage overhearing / looking over shoulder of large print (10.1 Private listening capability when using audio alternatives to visual information in public places, 10.2 Protection of the privacy of their information even if they are not able to do the “expected” things to protect it themselves., 10.3 Security of their information even if they are not able to do the “expected” things to protect it themselves)
• User can navigate content effectively
  • Useful navigation order (12.2 Cursor movement that is controlled by keyboard to follow data entry or control order.) [also relates to efficient usage]
  • Structured audio (12.11 Structure when navigating long audio material.)
  • Navigation supports different thinking styles (13.5 Navigation that supports different thinking styles.)
• Meaning conveyed by style perceivable to users (JTC1 1.5 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.)
  • Author provides multiple redundant style cues
  • Meaning supported by programmatically determined semantics
• Input is device independent
  • Input does not require pointing device (6.3 Method to fully operate the product that does not require a pointing device.)
  • Support keyboard input (6.4 Ability to access all computer software functionality from the keyboard (or keyboard emulator) with only visual feedback.)
  • Allow speech input (6.19 Operate using only speech.)
  • Input does not require speech input (6.5 Alternative method to operate any speech controlled functions.)
• Enable input for users with wide range of abilities
  • Do not require simultaneous actions (6.6 Method to fully operate product that does not require simultaneous actions)
  • Do not require precision in movement (6.15 Method to fully operate product that does not require much accuracy of movement)
  • Allow input with different parameters for speed, acceleration, etc. (6.16 Ability to adjust the speed and acceleration of input devices.)
• User can manage distractions
  • Autoplay of any moving content can be prevented
  • Blinking or movement can be easily stopped
  • Layout helps user find important content
  • Cursor blinking can be turned off
• User can avoid personal risk
  • Photosensitive seizures
    • Flash can be prevented (11.5 To avoid visual patterns that causes them to have seizures.)
    • Content with flash can be reliably warned in advance and avoided
    • Unexpected flash can be immediately stopped
  • Audiosensitive seizures
    • @@ triggering condition can be prevented (11.6 To avoid auditory patterns that causes them to have seizures.)
    • Content with @@ triggering condition can be reliably warned in advance and avoided
    • Unexpected @@ triggering condition can be immediately stopped
• Important alerts can reach the user quickly
  • Multi-frequency audio (2.4 Auditory events, alerts etc, be multi-frequency)
  • Vibration (2.5 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))
• Users can discover content on the page (3.1 Locate and identify all keys and controls via non-visual means without activating them., 3.3 Sufficient landmarks to be able to quickly re-find controls tactilely during use.)
  • Headings identify regions of content
  • Regions of content are programmatically determined
  • User can skip to main content
  • Controls and their functions are programmatically determined
  • Controls have contrast with their surroundings (3.4 Controls that visually contrast with their surroundings.)
  • Location of controls is predictable (3.5 Controls be in places where they can be easily found with low vision and with no sight.)
• Support users with instructions (@@overlaps with understand, avoid confusion)
  • Instructions for accessible interaction (13.13 Know that a product is usable by them and how to set it up to work for them.)
• Users can understand content, navigation, and available interactions
  • Description of layout available (3.8 Information describing the layout of the operational parts.) (WCAG @@ Table Summary)
    • Description does not depend on specific sensory characteristics (13.1 Ability to get overview and orient themselves to product and functions/parts without relying on visual presentation or markings on product., WCAG meaning from color)
  • Simple wording in instructions (13.2 "Wording, symbols, and indicators used on products that are as easy to understand as possible given the device and task.)
  • Use standard icon / design / description conventions (13.3 Products to use standard conventions, words and symbols for their culture (cross-cultural if possible).)
  • Don’t require hierarchical thinking (13.6 Ability to understand product if they have trouble thinking hierarchically.)
  • Clear instructions for interaction (13.8 Steps for operation that are minimized and clearly described.)
• Users are not confused
  • Style does not imply perceived affordance of non-actionable features (3.2 To have non-actionable elements (logos, decorative details) not look or feel like buttons or controls)
  • Not confused with non-indicating tactile objects (3.2 To have non-actionable elements (logos, decorative details) not look or feel like buttons or controls)
  • Predictability / consistency of design
    • Objects don’t change their function (13.12 Each function on its own key rather than having keys change their functions but look/feel the same.)
  • Minimize reliance on user short-term memory (13.9 Interfaces that limit the memorization required of the user to operate them successfully.)
  • Provide guidance for multi-step processes (13.10 Cues to assist them in multi-step operations.)
  • Simplified interface available (13.11 Simple interfaces that only require them to deal with the controls they need (advanced or optional controls removed in some fashion).)
• Do not require specific physical characteristics (non-web? Handedness, having hands, etc.)
  • Alternative biometric identification (6.20 Alternatives to biometric means of identification.)
• Avoid errors
  • Avoid accidental activation of controls
    • Due to tremors etc. (8.2 Ability to operate controls with tremor or spasmodic movements without inadvertant entries.)
• Recover from errors
  • Notification when error detected (9.1 Notification when the product detects errors made by the user.)
  • Instructions on error recovery (9.2 Unambiguous guidance on what to do in the event of a reported error.)
  • Ability to correct error (9.3 Mechanism to go back and undo the last thing(s) they did.)
  • Ability to redo task (9.4 Ability to reset (to initial condition).)
• Complete time-sensitive tasks
  • Ability to complete task in allotted time
    • Support ability to plan task execution strategy (7.3 Information necessary to plan their actions in advance.)
    • Avoid distractions (see separate topic) (7.4 Ability to avoid visual or auditory distractions that prevent focusing on a task)
  • Ability to extend time
    • More time to read (7.1 Much more time to read displayed information.)
    • More time to complete task (7.2 Much more time to complete actions - and no feeling of time pressure.)
• Support efficient usage
  • Change characteristics (speed, voice, pitch, accent) of audio alternatives (12.3 The ability to increase the rate of audio alternatives (unless there are minimal audio alternatives))
  • Provide accessibility preferences that take effect immediately (12.4 System level accessibility preference settings that apply across applications., 12.7 Preference settings to change immediately preferably without requiring system reboot.)
  • Persistent preferences across sessions (12.8 Ability to save and restore individual preference settings.)
  • Clear accessibility feature settings (13.4 Clear and easy activation mechanisms for any access features)
• Don’t override accessibility features (12.5 To have applications not override or defeat built-in accessibility features.)
  • Preferences, e.g., typeface, color, size, layout, volume, contrast…) (12.6 "Accessibility preference settings preserved unless asked.)
  • Preferences return to default state when switching users (12.9 Accessibility functions that can be returned to an initial state individually or together after each user.) [not web?]

Applicability of needs

• Content
• Controls (buttons, fields, etc.)
• Input indicators (mouse, keyboard cursors)
• Signals (non-actionable state indicators)
• Alerts (dialogs, alarms, etc.)

Assumptions

• User is accessing Web content on hardware / OS / AT combination that supports their needs. This may not always be true for shared device / public kiosk situations, but that issue is out of scope.

JTC1 User Needs not in scope of Web

• 1.8 Information within viewable range of those of short stature or seated in wheelchairs
• 1.9 Ability to avoid reflective glare
• 1.10 Ability to avoid glare from excessive brightness (of material or surrounding)
• 3.6 Controls within viewable range of people of short stature or seated in wheelchairs.
• 5.11 Clear feedback of connector engagement (e.g. power cord, PC card, USB connector, etc.)
• 6.1 Operate all functionality using only tactilely discernable controls coupled with non-visual feedback.
• 6.2 To access all functionality without having to use touch or very light touch activated controls
• 6.7 Method to fully operate product that does not require much force
• 6.8 Method to fully operate product that does not require much continuous force
• 6.9 Method to fully operate product that does not require much stamina (includes sustained or repeated activity without sufficient rest)
• 6.10 Method to fully operate product that does not require much reach (weakness,, stature or wheelchair)
• 6.11 Method to fully operate product that does not require tight grasping
• 6.12 Method to fully operate product that does not require pinching
• 6.13 Method to fully operate product that does not require twisting of the wrist
• 6.14 Method to fully operate product that does not require direct body contact.
• 6.17 Operate product with only a left or only a right hand.
• 6.18 Operate product without use of hands.
• 8. 1 Products designed so they can be tactilely explored without activation.
• 8.3 Controls that are not so easy to activate that they are activated by a slight brush of hand.
• 11.1 Products where hazards are obvious and easy to avoid, difficult to trigger.
• 11.2 Products that do not rely on specific senses or fine movement to avoid injury.
• 11.3 Use products safely without seeing hazards or warnings.
• 11.4 Use products safely without hearing hazard warnings
• 11.7 Products that do not give off electromagnetic radiation that that they are allergic to.
• 11.8 Products that do not give off chemicals that that they are allergic to.
• 12.1 Alternate modes of operation that are effective given the time constraints of the task. [What the hey is this as a guideline?]
• 12.10 Hardcopy documents to be usable with one hand or mouthstick.