1. A method for verifying the operability of a gesture recognition system that comprises an image capture device having a field of view, the method comprising the steps of: providing a test target separate from, and within the field of view of, the image capture device, the test target configured to generate a test stimulus that is recognizable by the gesture recognition system; receiving, by the image capture device, the test stimulus from the test target; processing, in a processor, the test stimulus received by the image capture device to generate a test response; verifying, in the processor, that the test response corresponds to the test stimulus; and inactivating the entire gesture recognition system when the test response does not correspond to the test stimulus, whereby the gesture recognition system no longer generates any system output commands.