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Voluntary Product Accessibility Template

Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. Supports with exceptions through equivalent facilitation:
Keyboard equivalents for all actions are provided. 		Firefox supports all standard keyboard operation of the user interface. Java and in-page plugins for content such as Flash cannot be used with the keyboard so they must not be installed for keyboard-only users. The tab order skips over them completely, so form controls within them cannot be used without a mouse.

The "customize toolbar" dialog relies on drag-and-drop operations and is therefore not accessible to keyboard-only users. In practice, this is not a problem, since toolbar buttons are not in the tab order. All toolbar buttons have equivalent menu items which provide the same functionality.

Full page plugins such as PDFs can be used if the option "Open with default application" is used for each full page plugin type under Tools -> Options -> Downloads -> View and Edit actions. The "Open with default application" preference is automatically set for screen reader users.

Special keyboard features in Firefox:
  1. "Search for text when I start typing" allows for quick navigation to links and text searching without opening a separate dialog. This allows more convenient use by screen magnification users because there is a single point of regard for the search. It also assists users of input aids because there are far fewer keys to type to get the desired location. For example, it is possible to navigate to the desired link by pressing 2 letter keys rather than tabbing through many links to get there.
  2. "Always use the cursor keys to navigate within web pages" allows users to select arbitrary content with the keyboard and move through web content as if inside a read-only editor. This allows copying arbitrary pieces of text to the clipboard. The F7 key toggles this feature on/off.
  3. Tabbed browsing helps keyboard users by putting all of the browsed documents in one Firefox application window rather than cluttering the Alt+Tab order which makes keyboard navigation within the entire Windows OS much simpler.
  4. Both history and bookmarks can be searched with a "quick search" field that quickly narrows the list down via a substring search.
  5. Integrated web search (accessed by Ctrl+K) is much faster to use than going to the search tool's web site. Custom searches can be added to this quick search bar and the user can switch between them by choosing from a dropdown by pressing F4 or Alt+DownArrow. Web sites can define their own search interfaces, which appear in the dropdown while the user is navigating the site. The user can add these custom search engines permanently by selecting "Add <site-provided name>" from the dropdown.
  6. Bookmarks can have a keyword assigned to them which can be typed into the address bar to bring up the bookmark. A "smart keywords" feature enhances this even further by allowing custom searches from the command line such as "word punditry" to look up the word "punditry" in an online dictionary. These smart keywords can be setup via the context menu for the search field on the desired website.
  7. The built-in full-page zoom feature can be accessed with the Ctrl+plus and Ctrl+minus hotkeys. Ctrl+0 restores the text size to the default author-provided size. Optionally, a text-only zoom can be enabled by selecting View -> Zoom -> Text Only.
  8. The accessibility extension may be installed on top of Firefox, allowing keyboard access to document structure.
(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. Supports:
The product does not interfere with keyboard accessibility features built into the operating system. 		Does not interfere with Mouse Keys, Sticky Keys, Filter Keys or Toggle Keys.
(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes. Supports:
A visual focus indicator that moves among interactive objects as in the input focus changes is provided. The focus indicator is programmatically exposed to assistive technology. 		The focus is programmatically exposed via Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) as well as via DOM APIs in-process.

Additional features: the focus appearance can also be changed by modifying the about:config setting browser.display.use_focus_colors to true and modifying the settings browser.display.focus_background_color, browser.display.focus_text_color. The about:config advanced settings can be reached by entering "about:config" in the address bar and pressing Enter.

The focus appearance can also be further enhanced by installing the Accessibar extension for Firefox. This extension provides additional accessibility features for Firefox and can be downloaded from the Mozilla Add-ons site at https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4242. After installing the extension, a thick rounded blue outline will be displayed around the currently focused area. The focus outline's width and color can also be configured by selecting the preferred settings from the toolbar's Options dialog.
(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. Supports with exceptions:
Semantic information about user interface objects is provided. Labels are associated with controls, objects, icons, and images.		 Provided via MSAA. Additional features: the ISimpleDOM* interfaces provide additional information such as element tag names, attributes and computed style. IAccessible2 support allows for access to all content without having to use video hooking technology within an assistive technology.

Text labels are associated with all controls,
objects, icons and significant images in the Firefox user interface.

Exception: Firefox offers automatic spellchecking in text that users type in <textarea> elements. If a word is misspelled, it appears with a red underline, and you can click the word to bring up a context menu with spelling suggestions. The spelling suggestions are accessible by moving the caret to the word and pressing Shift+F10 to bring up the context menu, but the fact that a word is misspelled in the first place is not exposed to assistive technologies.
(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. Supports:
Labels are associated with controls, objects, icons and images.		  
(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. Supports with exceptions:
Text through standard system function calls or through an API (application programming interface) which supports interaction with assistive technology is provided. 		Provided via MSAA for content with a defined mapping to MSAA, including HTML, XHTML, DHTML and XUL. Firefox provides additional information about the structure, position and format of text via the ISimpleDOMText and ISimpleDOMNode interfaces. Firefox also utilizes the ISimpleDOMNode and ISimpleDOMText interfaces to expose MathM and SVG, which has no defined mapping to MSAA mapping (caveat: no screen reader currently utilizes the SVG information exposed by Firefox). Information is also available through IAccessible2 interfaces.
(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. Supports with exceptions:
System settings for high contrast for all user interface controls and client area content are supported. System settings for font, size, and color for all user interface controls are inherited. 		Firefox supports the current theme being used in the operating system.

When the high contrast flag is set, Firefox obeys the current operating system theme for the HTML content area as well as the UI, with the following exceptions:
  • Setup screens don't obey the system font size. Once installation is complete, this is no longer an issue for end users.
  • The preferences window uses icons to select different "panes", and the icon for the selected pane is always highlighted with a specific color. However, the text below the selected icon is visible.
  • The button icons in the in-page search bar are not always visible in certain high contrast themes. However, each button has text beside the icon, and the text is always visible.
  • The buttons for next and previous page in the print preview window are not always visible in certain high contrast themes.
  • In the "Add Bookmark" dialog, the button icon to toggle the display of bookmark folders is not always visible in certain high contrast themes.
  • If multiple browser tabs are opened in a single browser window, a button appears on the right side of the tab strip. Clicking this button drops down a menu to select a tab. The button's icon is not always visible in certain high contrast themes.
(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. Supports:
An option to provide to display animation in a non-animated presentation mode is provided. 		Firefox does not use animation in its user interface.

Additional related features: Firefox can be configured to turn off animation in images used in web content via the about:config setting called "image.animation_mode". The default value is "normal" and it can be change to either "once" (loop through animation once) or "none" (for no animation). The about:config advanced settings can be reached by entering "about:config" in the address bar and pressing Enter.
(i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. Supports:
Color is used only as an enhancement, not as the only way to convey information or indicate an action. 		Certain events may trigger a non-modal "notification bar" at the top of the window, for example when Firefox blocks a popup window from opening automatically. Each notification has a defined importance level, for example "informational", "warning", or "error". The background of the notification bar indicates the importance level. The notification bar also includes an icon appropriate for the importance level. Furthermore, these notification bars and their importance level are exposed to assistive technologies as an alert (ROLE_SYSTEM_ALERT in MSAA), so an assistive technology can programmatically determine the importance of the notification and decide how to convey the text to the user.

Additional features: A distinction between visited and unvisited links on web pages can be made without relying on colors when using the Accessibar extension. Accessibar is an accessibility toolbar extension for Firefox which can be downloaded from the Mozilla Add-ons site at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4242. Once installed, the user can choose to have a dashed underline displayed under visited links by selecting the preference from the toolbar's Options dialog.
(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. Supports:
When color customization is supported, the product provides a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels 		Firefox provides color customization options that support a variety of contrast levels.
(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Supports:
The use of blinking text, objects or other elements has been avoided 		Firefox does not have any blinking elements in its user interface.

Additional related features:
  1. When pages use the HTML <blink> tag, Firefox uses a 1 Hz duty cycle with the text visible for 3/4 of each cycle.
  2. It is possible to turn off blinking in web content by changing the about:config setting called "browser.blink_allowed" to false. The about:config advanced settings can be reached by entering "about:config" in the address bar and pressing Enter.
(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. Supports:
The application provides a format that allows access via assistive technology to information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form. 		Dialog boxes are accessible to assistive technology users by meeting the other applicable requirements.
Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). Not applicable  
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. Not applicable  
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. Not applicable  
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. Not applicable  
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. Not applicable  
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. Not applicable  
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. Not applicable  
(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers. Not applicable  
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. Not applicable  
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Not applicable  
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes. Not applicable  
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by Assistive Technology. Not applicable  
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l). Not applicable  
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. Not applicable  
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. Not applicable  
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Not applicable  
Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) Telecommunications products or systems which provide a function allowing voice communication and which do not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. Microphones shall be capable of being turned on and off to allow the user to intermix speech with TTY use. Not applicable  
(b) Telecommunications products which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly used cross-manufacturer non proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. Not applicable  
(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY users with their TTYs. Not applicable  
(d) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunication systems that require a response from a user within a time interval, shall give an alert when the time interval is about to run out, and shall provide sufficient time for the user to indicate more time is required. Not applicable  
(e) Where provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be available for users of TTYs and for users who cannot see displays. Not applicable  
(f) For transmitted voice signals, telecommunications products shall provide a gain adjustable up to a minimum of 20 dB. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain shall be provided. Not applicable  
(g) If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receiver volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Not applicable  
(h) Where a telecommunications product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided. Not applicable  
(i) Interface to hearing technologies (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices) shall be reduced to the lowest possible level that allows a user of hearing technologies to utilize the telecommunications product. Not applicable  
(j) Products that transmit or conduct information or communication, shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide the information or communication in usable format. Technologies which use encoding, signal compression, format transformation, or similar techniques shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon delivery. Not applicable  
(k)(1) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. Not applicable  
(k)(2) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and keys shall be 5 lbs. (22.2N) maximum Not applicable  
(k)(3) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: If key repeat is supported, the delay before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2 seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to 2 seconds per character. Not applicable  
(k)(4) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. Not applicable  
Section 1194.24 Video and Multi-media Products - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) All analog television displays 13 inches and larger, and computer equipment that includes analog television receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as practicable, but not later than July 1, 2002, widescreen digital television (DTV) displays measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV sets with conventional displays measuring at least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV tuners, whether or not they are marketed with display screens, and computer equipment that includes DTV receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. Not applicable  
(b) Television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio program playback circuitry. Not applicable  
(c) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned. Supports:
Accessible alternatives to significant audio are provided.		 The find toolbar's sound also has a visual rendering on the find bar itself.
(d) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be audio described. Supports:
Accessible alternatives to significant video are provided.		  
(e) Display or presentation of alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable unless permanent. Not applicable  
Section 1194.25 Self-Contained, Closed Products - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) Self contained products shall be usable by people with disabilities without requiring an end-user to attach Assistive Technology to the product. Personal headsets for private listening are not Assistive Technology. Not applicable  
(b) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Not applicable  
(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not applicable  
(d) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. Not applicable  
(e) When products provide auditory output, the audio signal shall be provided at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector that will allow for private listening. The product must provide the ability to interrupt, pause, and restart the audio at anytime. Not applicable  
(f) When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user selectable. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Not applicable  
(g) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. Not applicable  
(h) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a range of color selections capable of producing a variety of contrast levels shall be provided. Not applicable  
(i) Products shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Not applicable  
(j) (1) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: The position of any operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length on products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls.

(j)(2) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor.

(j)(3) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor.

(j)(4) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane.		 Not applicable  
Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) All mechanically operated controls and keys shall comply with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not applicable  
(b) If a product utilizes touchscreens or touch-operated controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not applicable  
(c) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. Not applicable  
(d) Where provided, at least one of each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly available industry standards. Not applicable  


Section 1194.31 Functional Performance - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided. Supports:
See the following for supporting features:

- 1194.21 a, b, c, d, e, f, h, i, l
- 1194.22 all
- 1194.23 k1, k4
- 1194.24 d
- 1194.25 a, b, c, e, f, g
- 1194.26 b, d 		 
(b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for assistive technology used by people what are visually impaired shall be provided. Not applicable
See the following for supporting features:

- 1194.21 c, g, i, j, l
- 1194.22 n
- 1194.25 h
- 1194.26 d		  
(c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided. Supports:
Software provides the option to display a visual cue for audio alerts.

Also, see the following for other supporting features:

- 1194.22 b, m
- 1194.23 k4
- 1194.24 c
- 1194.25 e, f 		Software support may be provided by allowing operating system features to work without interference.

Firefox respects the operating system setting that provides this function.
(d) Where audio information is important for the use of the product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. Supports:
Software provides an option to adjust the volume.

See the following for other supporting features:
- 1194.23 k4
- 1194.25 e, f		 Software support may be provided by allowing operating system features to work without interference.

Firefox respects the operating system setting that provides this function.
(e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided. Not applicable  
(f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided. Not applicable
See the following for other supporting features:

- 1194.21 a, b
- 1194.22 l, p
- 1194.23 k1, k2, k3
- 1194.25 b, j
- 1194.26 d 		 
Section 1194.41 Information, Documentation, and Support - Detail
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and explanations
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. Supports:
Documentation in an accessible format is available in the help system.		 Available through built-in online help. Help text can be copied as HTML into the clipboard from the help viewer. From there it can be brought into a word processor or text editor for reading or conversion into alternate formats.
(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. Supports;
A description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods is available in the help system. 		Documentation for features related that augment accessibility exists in the built-in online help system.
  • A specific help topic labeled "Accessibility Features" describes all accessibility features of Firefox, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse shortcuts, navigating with cursor keys, searching for text in the current page, overriding page fonts, setting a minimum font size, resizing page text, overriding page colors, and compatibility with "high contrast" themes.
  • Documentation that is important for using Firefox with a particular assistive technology is provided by assistive technology vendors. The "Accessibility Features" help topic links to these vendor statements.
Help text can be copied as HTML into the clipboard from the help viewer. From there it can be brought into a word processor or text editor for reading or conversion into alternate formats.

In addition, this VPAT describes what accessibility and compatibility features are available in Firefox, and is available in HTML on the Mozilla Foundation website.
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. Supports Support options are listed at http://www.mozilla.org/support/.
Web-based support forums are available on http://forums.mozillazine.org/.