Accessibility Guidelines for Display Monitors

This section presents summary lists of recommendations for design issues related to access for persons with disabilities. Item numbers are based on lists in related sections of this appendix.

5. Accessibility guidelines for display monitors
Recommended

Visual Displays and Indicators:

1 Minimize glare.

2 Avoid 5-Hz to 50-Hz refresh rate or flicker rate.

3 Make LCD and LED indicators, warning, and alert lights software-readable.

4 Provide contrast and brightness controls.

5 Provide a display connector for an external or additional monitor.

6 Provide adjustable monitors.

Manipulation and Physical Design:

3 Make latches operable with one hand.

7 Ensure that devices do not generate electromagnetic or RF fields that would affect users with hearing aids.

9 Offer separate components that allow for use of alternate input devices.

10 Provide adjustable height, swivel, and so on, where appropriate.

11 Minimize operation noise levels.

12 Eliminate hard edges or sharp corners that could cause injury or inhibit correct device placement.

13 Manufacture outer surfaces using only hypoallergenic materials.

Input and Controls:

2 Design all controls to operate from the keyboard.

3 Mount all controls on the front of the device.

4 Limit button design primarily to push-button controls.

5 Use concave buttons, especially where sustained force is required.

6 Avoid twisting motions.

7 Minimize the force required for operation.

8 Make all controls operable with one hand.

9 Avoid capacitance-based controls.

10 Use functional grouping and layout of controls.

11 Make controls tactually discernible.

12 Make the state of non-momentary controls tactually discernible.

13 Provide tactile and audible actuation feedback for controls.

15 Maximize size of controls within the space available.

16 Space the controls a sufficient distance to allow for tactile and visual discrimination.

17 Design stable controls.

Labeling:

1 Use large, high-contrast, bold stroke, sans serif lettering, and avoid using artwork behind text.

2 Use tactually distinct icons for controls, connectors, and legends.

3 Provide optional Braille and tactile labels.

Documentation:

All points in the Documentation section of this appendix.