Software checklist

Provide an option to display animation in a non-animated presentation mode.

• Rationale

• Required development techniques

• Required test techniques

Rationale

Assistive technology such as screen readers and Braille displays cannot read information that is animated, so it is not accessible.

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Required development techniques

• Examples of required development techniques

The following techniques are the minimum required to meet Checkpoint 4.6 from the IBM Software Accessibility Checklist:

1. Provide an option that enables users to stop animation, and ensure that all information conveyed by the animation is still conveyed.
2. Provide an alternative or redundant way of presenting the information in a non-animated mode. For example, the user has the option of reading a text status message "loading" on the status line, in addition to an animated icon.

Examples of required development techniques

1. Provide an option that enables users to stop animation, and ensure that all information conveyed by the animation is still conveyed.

Example 1

For animations in applications, provide a checkbox to enable or disable the animation.

Provide an alternative or redundant way of presenting the information in a non-animated mode.

Example 2

If there is an animated icon then, in addition to an animated icon, provide a text equivalent message. For example, if the loading of an application is represented with an animated icon then in addition to the animated icon provide the user the option of reading a text equivalent message —loading" on the status line. Or, as in the dialog box below, provide the download percentage in text along with the animated status bar.

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Required test techniques

Test the software to ensure that it complies with accessibility requirements.

Required test software

No additional software is required to test this checkpoint.

Test techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

	Action	Result
1	Verify any animation that is part of the application can be disabled and no information is lost. Verify there is a function provided by the application to turn off animation. Turn off animation. Verify the animation is disabled. With the animation disabled, verify information available through the animation is available another way.	Pass: The software provides an option to turn off animation and the same information available through animation is available in a non-animated mode, such as text. Fail: The software does not provide an option to turn off animation. The software provides an option to disable animation, but when animation is turned off, the information available in the non-animated mode is not equivalent to the animation.

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©2013 IBM Corporation

Last updated January 01, 2013.

Checkpoint 4.5	Software checklist	Checkpoint 5.1