HW Minutes Jan 5

Hardware SC 01/05/07 Con Call

Welcome back and happy New Year

Agenda Topics Covered:

Review Action Items from December:

BIOS Accessibility – is still being investigated. Difficulty in catching up with appropriate subject matter expert.

Themes/508 Requirements Matrix – currently being wrapped up with target to publish on WIKI by late next week

Proposal to combine subcommittees – Randy drafted a proposal to combine the Hardware and Self-contained subcommittees into a single entity. Based on multiple discussions the decision was made to not combine the subcommittees. The impetus of the discussion was to determine where Handheld devices, specifically those like PDA, smartphones, etc., resided. The result is that the Hardware subcommittee will include in its discussion/analysis process those devices that can perform as computer hardware. Additionally, the emphasis is on the physical interactions and means of external access (ports). The subcommittee will not address any of the software elements.

Discuss addition of Handheld Computers to this section – Discussion focused on the what is a handheld as it applies to this subcommittee. Points made included the focus on the “computer” element of the handheld and the mechanical and port characteristics. A recommendation was made to update the charter to include to state that this group is investigating “computing devices” or “intelligent” devices. An example was a flash drive with embedded software or functionality.

Begin discussion on specific 508 desktop and portable computer requirements from 1194.26. – “All mechanically operated controls and keys shall comply with § 1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). (k)(1) Controls and Keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys.”

Discussion began with a drill down on tactile characteristics, especially on hand helds like blackberry. Key points made included:

• Tactile is more than the keyboard; it includes any control or button.
• From a design perspective, the requirement needs to leave some room for differing implementation.
• Touch screens and capacitive buttons, since they do not have tactile characteristics will continue to be a challenge.
• What standards, such as Microsoft PDA requirements, provide guidance or a definition of button requirements?
• Long discussion on keyboard layouts and the challenges on the handheld keyboard. Should there be a standard for layout and key location or does that hinder innovation? Since the keyboard layout can be learned is a orientation anchor sufficient?
• There was discussion regarding AT for handhelds, does a port for AT make it accessible or is merely an accommodation. The challenges of different disabilities, for example, gripping ability may change whether a product is accessible or not. One comment involved the fact that at the handheld level there may be a variation in products where one handheld is better for certain disabilities but worse for some. Another comment involved the potential to define a set of provisions for portability – make as accessible as possible give form factor and usage.
• 508 does not trump business needs; it is a business need. Can’t design to just meet 508.

Summary:

Multiple issues were identified for consideration by the committee and community including handhelds as an accessible product group; touch screen and soft keys; standard keyboard layouts in handhelds; and AT access in portable products.