Operable with limited cognitive skills or language facility

Evaluation instructions Source
Documentation   Inspect the documentation. Verify that a basic, "bare bones" section or version pertaining only to basic features is provided.  
Inspect the documentation in all formats and verify that key information and grouped information are highlighted using attention-attracting and grouping techniques.  
Inspect the documentation in all formats and verify that directional terms (e.g., left, right, up, down) are not used.  
Inspect all formats of the documentation and verify that step-by-step instructions are clearly marked (offset, marked as steps (e.g., numbered), follow a defined sequence). EITAAC, 1999
Inspect all formats of the documentation and (through sampling) verify that language is simple and that no passive voice or negative phrasing is used.  
Inspect all formats of the documentation and verify that Arabic notation is used for numerals.  
Hardware Input/controls Where softkeys (physical keys with variable labels) are used, inspect each softkey label and verify that each is self-explanatory and does not use abbreviations. Mercinelli
Where softkeys (physical keys with variable labels) are used, inspect each softkey and verify that each is used consistently across applications. Mercinelli
Where softkeys (physical keys with variable labels) are used, inspect each softkey and its label to verify that softkey positions correspond to softkey label positions. Mercinelli
Where softkeys (physical keys with variable labels) are used, inspect each phase of the display and verify that softkey labels always appear at the same position on the display. Mercinelli
Identify long command sequences. Determine if they can be programmed. Verify that long command sequences can be programmed with a short code (or with a few, simple steps).  
Test the keyboard map under different conditions and verify that it does not change unless adjusted by the user.  
Test each control and verify that controls may be operated using speech. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(e)(2)(i) Advisory Guidance]
Test each control and verify that audio presentation of control labels and selected control feedback is provided. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(a)(3)(f), 1193.41(a)(3)(g), Advisory Guidance]
Test all system actions and verify that a progress, or "busy" indicator is provided when the product cannot take further input or when there is a delay before requested actions are taken.  
Test all non-reversible commands and verify that confirmation requests are provided before the command is executed. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(a)(3)(e) Advisory Guidance]
Test all controls and verify that speech output (that may be turned on/off) has been provided, which reads or confirms control settings and functions when the key is pressed but does not activate the control. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(a)(3)(f) Advisory Guidance]
Test all command sequences and verify that an easy method for undoing or exiting out of each is provided and apparent. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(i)(2)(e) Advisory Guidance]
Inspect the system and identify any programmable keys or the ability to modify default settings. Inspect the required commands for common system functions and verify that programmable function keys or system "default" modes are provided for each.  
Inspect the control space and verify that, where appropriate, absolute reference controls (e.g., pointers) are used instead of relative controls (e.g., arrows).  
Inspect the control space and verify that, where appropriate, moving pointers with stationary scales are used.  
Inspect the control space and verify that the number of control choices (for a particular action key) and dual-purpose controls is limited.  
Inspect the control space and determine the controls available at various layers. Verify that controls are layered such that only the most frequent or necessary controls or commands are visible unless requested.  
Inspect the control space. Verify that controls are arranged to indicate sequence of operation.  
Inspect the control space and verify that common layouts or patterns for controls are used (within the device).  
Inspect the control space and verify that common color-coding conventions are provided in addition to textual or graphic labeling.  
Inspect system responses to all commands and identify any lags. Verify that product lag or response times to commands are minimized.  
Inspect each setting control and verify that concrete (rather than abstract) indications of product settings are used.  
Inspect each aspect of the interface and verify that shape, color, icons, and labels for controls sharing functions or actions are standardized according to other products and manufacturers.  
Identify actions requiring a sequence of operations. Inspect each aspect of the interface and verify that memory cues or simple operating instructions for required sequences of action are provided. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(i)(2)(e) Advisory Guidance]
Inspect each aspect of the interface and verify that controls are integrated, grouped, or otherwise arranged to indicate function or sequence of operation. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(i)(2)(a) Advisory Guidance]
Identify all icons and graphical objects. Try to identify the metaphor associated with each. Inspect all screen object controls and verify that each is represented by common, recognizable metaphors.  
Identify labels not placed directly on a control. Inspect all labels and verify that when one must be placed adjacent to a control, the connection between the label and corresponding control is made apparent.  
Identify and inspect all labels and verify that simple concise language is used for each while abbreviations are avoided. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(i)(2)(f) Advisory Guidance]
Inspect labels for range adjustments and verify that intervals are marked, where appropriate. Also verify that the extremes are marked.  
Inspect all labels and verify that each is placed on or immediately adjacent to their corresponding control.  
Verify that there is automatic, timed shut-off for devices that present a hazard if left on.  
Output/displays Verify that there is a text-equivalent element provided for every non-text element. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(a), 1194.21(d)]
Verify that auditory information is presented continuously or periodically until the desired message is confirmed or acted upon by testing device response when messages are not acted upon immediately.  
Inspect the wording of each output format and display to verify that language is simple, and that no passive voice or negative phrasing is used.  
Inspect each screen layout and verify that they are simple, and the user has the option to view one thing at a time.  
Inspect each output of the display and verify that digital readouts for product generated numbers are provided when a numeric or precise value is important.  
Inspect each output of the display and verify that dials or bar graphs are provided when qualitative information is more important.  
Inspect each output format and display, including all button labels, to verify that pictures or icons are used to accompany words.  
Inspect each output format and display to identify any important information and any grouped information. Examine any coding techniques that are used. Verify that key information and grouped information are highlighted using attention-attracting and grouping techniques.  
Inspect each output format and display to verify that important information is placed at the beginning of written text.  
Inspect each output format and display and verify that Arabic notation is used for numerals.  
Identify any use of moving/scrolling text. Inspect all moving text and verify that it may be frozen and/or made scrollable, or else provided in an alternate format that does not move. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(b)(2)(c) Advisory Guidance]
Identify any aurally presented information and verify that automatic repetition of auditory messages or a means to repeat auditory messages is provided.  
Identify any aurally presented information and verify that audio presentations are short, and that key information is provided at the end.  
Identify any aurally presented information and verify that attention-getting sounds or words are used before the audio presentation of information.  
Manipulations Test all manipulation situations and verify that an easy way out of each is provided.  
Inspect each aspect of the device and verify that instructions for product assembly and use are provided directly on the device.  
Identify all insertable objects. Remove and replace objects. Inspect all insertion points and verify that each is clearly distinguished from the rest of the product, both visually and tactilely.  
Test the insertion of each object and verify that clear auditory, tactile, and visual feedback is provided when objects are properly inserted into a docking station or recharging base.  
Inspect the product before and during assembly and verify that user assembly, installation, and maintenance of the product is simplified, and that prompts are provided for sequences of actions required to assemble the product.  
Inspect each docking station and verify that a simple funneling system or other object self-guidance or orienting mechanism is provided to ensure correct insertion orientation.  
Inspect each docking station and related equipment and verify that docking stations for external cables and other equipment are designed to make incorrect insertion impossible.  
Software   Identify any instances requiring a complex series of steps. Verify that cuing is provided to lead the user through the process. Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.41(i)(2)(e), Advisory Guidance]
Identify complex tasks. Verify that accelerator, mnemonics, or shortcut keys are defined for tasks that are frequently performed by attempting to do common tasks using these methods. Microsoft, 1999
Test all non-reversible commands and verify that, where commands are not reversible, confirmation requests are provided before the command is executed. EITAAC, 1999
Identify any use of lists. Test all lists and verify that clear feedback indicates the end of lists. Microsoft, 1999
Identify frequently used functions. Inspect the structure of all menus and verify that frequently used functions are not placed deep within the structure of each. Microsoft, 1999
Inspect each aspect of the interface and verify that related objects on the interface display are grouped. EITAAC, 1999
Identify use of images. Inspect each aspect of the application and verify that the use of images is consistent throughout. EITAAC, 1999
Inspect each aspect of the application and verify that screen objects are represented by common, recognizable metaphors. Microsoft, 1999
Inspect each aspect of the application and verify that Arabic notation is used for numerals. Microsoft, 1999
Identify seldom used commands (things that are generally set once, and rarely adjusted). Inspect all command selection menus and verify that seldom used commands are hidden or an option for hiding such information is provided. Microsoft, 1999
Examine each aspect of the interface and verify that the number of non-functional interface elements is minimized. Microsoft, 1999
Attempt to undo or exit out of all command sequences and verify that an easy method for undoing, redoing, or exiting out of each is provided and apparent. EITAAC, 1999
Test the switching of keyboard and mouse focus to verify that clear feedback indicates the focus of each. EITAAC, 1999
Test the switching of indicator focus and verify that clear feedback is provided when focus changes. EITAAC, 1999
Inspect all command selection menus and verify that each is short. Microsoft, 1999
Websites   Verify that documentation is organized so it is readable without requiring an associated style sheet. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(d)]
When there is no other way to make a web site compliant with Section 508 guidelines, verify that a text-only page, with equivalent functionality or information, is provided for every web page. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(k)]
When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in, or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, verify that the page provides a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with 1194.21(a) through (l) of Section 508. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(m)]
Verify that text-only web pages are updated whenever the primary page changes. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(k)]
Verify that navigation mechanisms have been used in a consistent manner. W3C, 1999
Verify that metadata has been provided for adding semantic information to all pages in the site. W3C, 1999
Verify that large blocks of information have been divided into more manageable groups where naturally appropriate. W3C, 1999
Verify that labels have been explicitly associated with their corresponding controls. W3C, 1999
Verify that information about the general layout of the site has been provided. W3C, 1999
Verify that client-side image maps instead of server side maps have been provided, except where regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. W3C, 1999;Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(f)]
Verify that a method is provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(o)]
Inspect each textual aspect of the site and verify that pictures or icons are used to accompany words. University of Washington, 2000
Inspect each aspect of the site and verify that site language is simple and that no passive voice or negative phrasing is used.  
Inspect each aspect of the site and verify that key information and grouped information are highlighted using attention-attracting and grouping techniques.  
Inspect each aspect of the site and verify that Arabic notation is used for numerals.  
Inspect all pages in the site and verify that a simple, consistent page layout is maintained on each. University of Washington, 2000
Inspect all moving text in the site and verify that it may be frozen and/or made scrollable, or else proved in an alternate format that does not move. W3C, 1999
If server-side maps cannot be avoided, inspect the site without graphics to verify that server-side maps have equivalent text links. W3C, 1999; Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(e)]
If frames are used, verify that meaningful NOFRAMES content, which contains links to other pages in the site, has been provided (i.e., navigation is facilitated). W3C, 1999;Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(i)]
For data tables, verify that row and column headers are identified. W3C, 1999;Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(g)]
For data tables that have more than 2 logical levels of row or column headers, verify that markup has been used to associate data cells and header cells. W3C, 1999;Section 508, Workforce Investment Act [1194.22(h)]


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