ISO TC 159 Ergonomics
ISO/IEC JTC 1 Special Working Group on Accessibility (SWG-A)
JTC 1 SWG-A N 150
2006-03-17
Document
Type: Liaison Report
Title: ISO/TC 159 Liaison Report
Source: Susan Harker, ISO/TC 159 Liaison Officer
Requested For consideration by the SWG-A.
Action:
JTC 1 SWG on Accessibility Secretariat
ITI/INCITS
1250 Eye Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005
ISO TC 159 Ergonomics
Liaison Report to JTC 1 SWG – A
March 17, 2006
ISO TC 159 has a number of projects addressing accessibility in the context of Ergonomics standards.
1. Of particular relevance to the JTC 1 SWG is ISO DIS 9241-171 Ergonomics of human system interaction – Guidance on software accessibility. The DIS text of this standard has just been completed and has been sent to ISO for circulation for voting. It should be noted that it is being processed in both ISO and CEN, under the terms of the Vienna Agreement.
The Scope is copied below:
This part of ISO 9241 provides requirements and recommendations for the design of accessible software for use at work, in the home, in education and in public places. It covers issues associated with designing accessible software for people with the widest range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily disabled, and the elderly. This part of ISO 9241 addresses software considerations for accessibility that complement general design for usability covered by ISO 9241 part 110, ISO 9241 parts 11 to 17, ISO 14915 parts 1 to 3 and ISO 13407.
This part of ISO 9241 is applicable to the accessibility of interactive systems. It addresses a wide range of software (e.g. office, web, learning support and library systems).
This part of ISO 9241 promotes increased usability of systems for a wider range of users. While it does not cover the behaviour or requirements for assistive technologies (including assistive software), it addresses the use of assistive technologies as an integrated component of interactive systems.
This part of ISO 9241 is intended for use by those responsible for the specification, design, development, evaluation and procurement of software operating systems and software applications.
2. A further part of 9241 relevant to the SWG, ISO DIS 9241-20 Ergonomics of human-system interaction – Part 20; Accessibility guidelines for information/communication technology (ICT) equipment and services, is currently being processed by ISO for voting.
The Scope is copied below:
ISO 9241-20 is intended for use by those responsible to plan, design, develop, acquire, and evaluate information/communication technology (ICT) equipment and services. ISO 9241-20 provides recommendations to improve the accessibility of ICT equipment and services. Equipment and services which follow this ISO 9241-20 will have wider accessibility for use in work, home, mobile and public environments. This International Standard covers issues associated with designing equipment and services for people with a wide range of sensory, physical and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily disabled, and the elderly.
A detailed design for specific equipment or services can be developed based on this International Standard. If a specific detailed standard exists on the equipment or service, then users of this International Standard can also refer to that more specific standard. Where such standards are not available, this International Standard can be the basis of designing accessibility features of ICT equipment and service.
ISO 9241-20 is also intended to provide general guidelines for acquiring and evaluating ICT equipment and services. This includes both hardware and software aspects of information processing equipment, electronic communication facilities, office machines, and other similar technologies and services, which can be used in work, home, mobile and public environments.
ISO 9241-20 can also provide important information about context of use. Accessibility is increased by expanding the range of contexts where equipment and services can be used. Context of use can result from the various components of the equipment or service, including: user characteristics, task characteristics, equipment (hardware, software and materials) characteristics, and the characteristics of physical and social environments. Context of use can be considered when planning, designing, developing, acquiring and evaluating ICT equipment and services.
ISO 9241-20 is a high level standard and is applicable to all ICT equipment and services, therefore, detailed descriptions specific to equipment or service are avoided. To prevent barriers to trade or the movement of people each national, regional and international standardization activity in this area can refer to ISO 9241-20. More specific recommendations on software accessibility are contained in 9241-171.
3. TC 159 WG2 is producing a Technical Report, ISO PDTR 22411 Ergonomic data and ergonomic guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC Guide 71 to products and services to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities. This document is under active development. It is particularly aimed at the needs of standards developers for ergonomics data, which can form the basis for establishing criteria for accessibility in other standards.
The Scope is copied below:
1.1 This Technical Report (TR) provides standards developers with ergonomic data and guidance on how to take into account the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities, in accordance with the guidance described in ISO/IEC Guide 71.
This TR contains
a) Principles and techniques of accessible design for products, services and environments, and
b) ergonomic data on human abilities – sensory, physical, cognitive abilities and allergy.
Each design technique is based on ergonomic principles that are necessary to make products, services and environments accessible for older persons and persons with disabilities.
NOTE 1 , The ergonomic methods and data in this TR may also be useful for others such as manufacturers, designers, service providers and educators.
NOTE 2 This TR does not provide methods for assistive technologies. Assistive technologies, while also providing for older persons and persons with disabilities, are based on a different design concept form accessible design in that they mainly enhance human ability, specific to different impairments.
NOTE 3 Conformity assessment of any international, regional, or domestic standards is not in the scope of this TR.
1.2 This TR applies to products, services and environments encountered in all aspects of daily life, the consumer market and the workplace. For the purposes of this TR, the term 'products and services' is used to reflect all these purposes***.
A meeting of the Working Group has just concluded in Los Angeles and it may be that am member of WG2 who also attends the SWG meeting is able to provide a report on progress on the TR.
4. ISO TC 159 SC1 WG4 is in the process of finalising the texts for a two part standard comprising an IS and a TS. ISO FDIS 20282 Ease of operation of everyday products – Part 1 Design requirements for context of use and user characteristics and ISO TS 20282 Ease of operation of everyday products – Part 2 Test method for walk up and use products.
It should be noted that the everyday products that are being considered are characterised by the following, extracted from the scope:
⎯ Consumer products intended for some or all of the general public which are bought, rented, or used, and which may be owned by individuals, public organisations, or private companies.
⎯ Consumer products intended to be acquired and used by an individual for personal rather than professional use (such as alarm clocks, electric kettles, telephones, electric drills).
⎯ Walk up and use products that provide a service to the general public (such as ticket vending machines, photocopying machines, fitness equipment).
⎯ Products used in a work environment, but not as part of professional activities (e.g. a coffee machine in an office).
⎯ Mechanical or electrical products, with an interface that can be operated by control elements, enabling access to the functions provided. (e.g. electric irons, walkie talkies)
⎯ Products including software to the extent that the main goals of use of the product are supported (e.g. a CD player).
Thus they are all interactive products and may well contain computing and communications technology.
While the standard does not address the needs of people with disabilities directly, it does consider the sources and range of variation in user characteristics, and in particular focuses on the needs of older persons.
5. The application of ergonomics principles and guidance forms one of the basic inputs to the development of accessible systems. Thus many of the standards produced by ISO TC 159 SC4 which is responsible for the ISO 9241 series and other standards on interactive systems are directly applicable to achieving accessibility in the application domains which are of concern to SWG – A.
Susan Harker
Liasion from TC 159