(a) PC Controls and Keys
This guidance has been excerpted from federal implementation guidelines for Section 508 Standards.
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.26.htm. Minor changes to the federal guidelines may have been made in order to comply with Maryland regulations.
Note: The referenced COMAR is:
- Controls and keys are tactilely discernable without activating the controls or keys; and
- The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys is discernible either through touch or sound in addition to being visually discernable.
What is meant by 'tactilely discernible'?
Individual keys must be identifiable and distinguishable from adjacent keys by touch. Compliance with this provision can be accomplished by using various shapes, spacing, or tactile markings. Because touch is necessary to discern tactile features, this provision requires mechanically operated controls and keys which do not automatically activate a function based on mere contact. One method of ensuring compliance with the regulation is to equip the keypad or controls with raised ridges so that individual keys can be distinguished by touch.
What is meant by "status of controls" and why do people need that information?
This provision requires the status of toggle controls, such as the "caps lock" or "scroll lock" keys to be identifiable by either touch or sound, in addition to visual means. For example, adding audio patterns, such as ascending and descending pitch tones that indicate when a control is turned on or off, would alleviate the problem of a person who is blind inadvertently pressing the locking or toggle controls. Also, buttons which remain depressed when activated and switched with distinct positions may meet this provision.
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(b) PC Touch Screens or Touch-Operated Controls
This guidance has been excerpted from federal implementation guidelines for Section 508 Standards.
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.26.htm. Minor changes to the federal guidelines may have been made in order to comply with Maryland regulations.
Note: The referenced COMAR is:
- Controls and keys are tactilely discernable without activating the controls or keys; and
- The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys is discernible either through touch or sound in addition to being visually discernable.
What is meant by 'tactilely discernible'?
Individual keys must be identifiable and distinguishable from adjacent keys by touch. Compliance with this provision can be accomplished by using various shapes, spacing, or tactile markings. Because touch is necessary to discern tactile features, this provision requires touch-screens and contact-sensitive controls to enable touch that does not automatically activate a function based on mere contact. One method of ensuring compliance with the regulation is to equip the touch-screen keypad or contact-sensitive controls with raised ridges so that individual keys can be distinguished by touch.
What is meant by "status of controls" and why do people need that information?
This provision requires the status of toggle controls, such as the "caps lock" or "scroll lock" keys to be identifiable by either touch or sound, in addition to visual means. For example, adding audio patterns, such as ascending and descending pitch tones that indicate when a control is turned on or off, would alleviate the problem of a person who is blind inadvertently pressing the locking or toggle controls. Also, buttons which remain depressed when activated and switched with distinct positions may meet this provision.
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(c) PC Biometric Identifiers
This guidance has been excerpted from federal implementation guidelines for Section 508 Standards.
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.26.htm. Minor changes to the federal guidelines may have been made in order to comply with Maryland regulations.
What is an ocular form of user identification or control?
Ocular identification is a biometric control activated only if a particular biological eye feature of the user exists and matches specific criteria. An example includes retinal scans that may become common practice for allowing an individual to gain access to personal data from an information transaction type of machine. Biometric controls provide a high level of security. However, when a system needs to be accessed by a person with a visual disability, a non-biometric alternative should be provided that does not compromise security.
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