Thinking about ATAG2 Guideline A.3.1 Enhance keyboard access to authoring features

Hi everyone,

I said I would send something for A.3.1...so here it is:

ISSUE:
On a call a few weeks ago some WG members were concerned about the
exception in A.3.1.1 ("An exception to keyboard operability is allowed
where the underlying function requires input that depends on the path of
the author's movement and not just the endpoints."). At the same time,
some members were concerned about providing practical ATAG2 requirements
in the specialized case of professional drawing tools (e.g., those often
controlled by controllers that enter path and pressure information, such
as a stylus). This proposal is an attempt to satisfy both concerns.

USE CASE:
- A useful user profile to keep in mind here would be a professional
graphic artist, who has lost steadiness in their hands due to injury, etc.

NEW DEFINITION:
There are new terms ("Drawing functionality", "Drawing Objects") defined
at the bottom of this message. The definition includes some examples
that are useful to keep in mind:
- rotating a shape in a vector graphic editor,
- using a freehand “airbrushing” tool in a raster graphic editor,
- resizing a div element in a WYSIWYG webpage editor,
- adding freehand waveforms to a visual representation of audio content
in an audio editor

NOTE ON TIMING:
The original wording mentionned "time limits on specific keystrokes" but
success criterion A.3.2.2 handles this. We can remind people in the
"Intent" sections.

PROPOSAL:

A.3.1.1 Non-Drawing Keyboard Access: All functionality of the authoring
tool, except *drawing functionality*, is operable through a keyboard
interface (Level A):
Note: For drawing functionality, see success criterion A.3.1.2.

A.3.1.2 Drawing Keyboard Access (Minimum): The following *drawing
functionality* (if present) is operable through a keyboard interface
(Level A):
(a) inserting new drawing objects; and
(b) selecting drawing objects; and
(c) moving drawing objects; and
(d) modifying the overall size of drawing objects; and
(e) rotating drawing objects; and
(f) adding/editing text for drawing objects
Note: It is possible to implement keyboard access directly (e.g.,
keyboard-driven manipulation of drawing objects) or indirectly (e.g.,
keyboard editing of drawing object property values).

A.3.1.3 Avoiding Content Keyboard Traps: *UNCHANGED*

A.3.1.4 Drawing Keyboard Access (Intermediate): Any drawing
functionality of the authoring tool is operable through a keyboard
interface, except where the input depends on the path of the author's
movement and not just the endpoints.
Note: It is possible to implement keyboard access directly (e.g.,
keyboard-driven manipulation of drawing objects) or indirectly (e.g.,
keyboard editing of drawing object property values).

A.3.1.5 Keyboard Shortcuts: *UNCHANGED*

A.3.1.6 Drawing Keyboard Access (Enhanced): Any drawing functionality of
the authoring tool is operable through a keyboard interface. (Level AAA)
Note: It is possible to implement keyboard access directly (e.g.,
keyboard-driven manipulation of drawing objects) or indirectly (e.g.,
keyboard editing of drawing object property values).

A.3.1.7 Customize Keyboard Access: *UNCHANGED*

New Definitions:
*Drawing functionality:*
Authoring tool functionality that involves adding or modifying graphical
representations of content (e.g., rotating a shape in a vector graphic
editor, using a freehand “airbrushing ” tool in a raster graphic editor,
resizing a div element in a WYSIWYG webpage editor, adding freehand
waveforms to a visual representation of audio content in an audio
editor). *Drawing objects* are graphical representations of content that
remain independently selectable, in contrast to graphical
representations that do not remain selectable (e.g., when drawing
actions are made directly to a single raster graphic).




Thoughts?

Cheers,
Jan

-- 
Jan Richards, M.Sc.
User Interface Design Lead
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC)
Faculty of Information
University of Toronto

   Email: jan.richards@utoronto.ca
   Web:   http://jan.atrc.utoronto.ca
   Phone: 416-946-7060
   Fax:   416-971-2896

Received on Monday, 9 November 2009 19:32:02 UTC