201.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to ICT covered under E103.3 and C103.3.
202.1 General. ICT shall provide access to all functionality, either directly or by supporting the use of assistive technology, and shall conform to E202 where applicable.
202.2 Without Vision. At least one mode of operation using non-visual access shall be provided.
202.3 With Limited Vision. When a visual mode of operation is provided, at least one visual mode of operation that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/200 or a field of vision greater than 20 degrees shall be provided.
Advisory 202.3 With Limited Vision. The term "blindness" means central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees is considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
Visual acuity of 20/200 is comparable to adjusting the optical viewing distance to 10 times the viewing distance for unimpaired vision. In North America, legal blindness is defined as visual acuity of 20/200. Many people with even this degree of low vision prefer a visual mode of operation.
202.4 Without Perception of Color. At least one mode of operation that does not require user perception of color shall be provided.
202.5 Without Hearing. At least one mode of operation that does not require user hearing shall be provided.
202.6 With Limited Hearing. When an auditory mode of operation is provided, at least one mode of operation which improves clarity, reduces background noise, or allows user control of volume shall be provided.
Advisory 202.6 With Limited Hearing. This provision requires ICT that offers an auditory mode of operation to provide at least one mode of operation in an enhanced auditory fashion by reducing background noise, improving clarity, and providing user control of amplification.
202.7 Without Speech. At least one mode of operation that does not require user speech shall be provided.
202.8 With Limited Manipulation. At least one mode of operation shall be provided that does not require the user to have fine motor control or to operate more than one control at the same time.
202.9 With Limited Reach and Strength. At least one mode of operation that is operable with limited reach and limited strength shall be provided.
202.10 Without Physical Contact. At least one mode of operation that does not require physical contact shall be provided.
Exceptions: 1. This provision only applies after the initial connection, configuration, and setup of any customized interface device.
2. This provision does not apply to providing power to ICT.
3. This provision does not apply to changing consumables or providing physical maintenance.
Advisory 202.10 Without Physical Contact. The use of a standard interface or protocol that allows users to control a product using software or hardware via a wired or wireless network connection conforms to this provision.
Examples of wired connections include Ethernet, USB, and IEEE 1394. Examples of wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wireless USB adaptors. The use of an infra-red (“IR”) remote control provided with consumer electronics products also conforms to this provision.
Advisory 202.10 Without Physical Contact Exception 1. An initial connection includes any physical connections to attach the user’s customized interface device. An example of physical connection is connecting an augmentative communication device to a kiosk via a USB cable.
A customized interface device may not be part of the default configuration. A customized interface device could be assistive technology or it could be information technology. Examples of customized interface devices are voice recognition software or an IR port.
Advisory 202.10 Without Physical Contact Exception 2. The accessibility features of many products require that all the hardware be “powered up” and in standby mode. Providing power may require physically switching a circuit breaker.
Advisory 202.10 Without Physical Contact Exception 3. An example of changing consumables is replacing batteries. Pneumatic switches are an example of adaptive technology which requires routine physical maintenance.
202.11 Minimize Photosensitive Seizure Triggers. ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that minimizes the potential for triggering photosensitive seizures.
Advisory 202.11 Minimize Photosensitive Seizure Triggers. ICT that emits light in flashes at any time may visually induce seizures for people who have photosensitive seizure disorders.
For further clarification of this requirement, consult WCAG 2.0 Success Criteria 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold and Success Criteria 2.3.3 Three Flashes.
See also the WCAG 2.0 definitions for “general flash and red flash thresholds”. These are found at: http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#general-thresholddef.