Current versions of SC and Definitions

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• Device Sensor definition for viewing | Device Sensor definition for editing
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SC Shortname

Device sensors

SC Text

All functionality of the content can be operated without requiring specific device sensor information unless the device sensor is essential for the function and not using it would invalidate the activity.

Suggestion for Priority Level (A/AA/AAA)

Level A

Related Glossary additions or changes

Editors´ Note: The Working Group has identified questions of scope for this SC, and is exploring rewording to resolve this. The main question is about the relationship to indirect motion associated with operating a keyboard, pointer, or assistive technology. Draft new wording is available at #67 (comment)

Device sensor: A device sensor is a device component that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical environment. Examples on mobile devices are the measurement of motion, orientation, and various environmental conditions.

What Principle and Guideline the SC falls within.

Principle 2, new Guideline "Additional sensor inputs"

Description

Devices may have sensors that act as inputs - e.g. tilt/orientation sensors on a mobile/tablet, allowing the user to control something by simply changing the orientation of the device in space. Not all devices may have these sensors. Even when the device has these sensors, the user may not be unable to operate these sensors (either not at all, or not precisely enough). Functionality must therefore be implemented in a way that other means are available to activate the function that do not rely on additional sensor input.

Examples

• After text input in a field, shaking a device shows a dialog offering users to undo the input. A cancel button next to the text field offers the same functionality - activating it reverts to the content (if any) that was shown before the user input replaced it.

Benefits

Users with disabilities may be unable to perform particular actions impacting on sensors (such as tilting or shaking) because the device may be mounted or users may be physically unable to perform the necessary action. This sucess scriterion ensures that users can still operate all functionality by other means (e.g., touch or voice input). All users benefit from this, for example, users who are temporarily unable to hold and move the device because their hands are occupied with some other activity.

Testability

Manual test - if the content provides functionality tied to particular sensors, ensure that an alternative method is available to trigger the same functionality without the use of these sensors.

Procedure

For each function that can activated via additional sensor input:

1. check that there is an alternative accessibility supported method to activate the function

Expected Results

• All checks above are true

Techniques

Functionality/content must not solely rely on device inputs (e.g. an alternative which does not require the user to manipulate their device/use these device inputs must be available)