July 14, 2003—ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has produced a technical specification for designing software that is easier to use for the elderly, the disabled, and everyone else. The document will provide a road map to software design that takes into account the varying physical and sensory capabilities of users to ensure that it can be used not only by people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive disabilities, but also by the elderly, the temporarily disabled, and by those with no disability at all.
“We want all users to be able to live and work in harmony with their computer systems,” says Tom Stewart, Chair of the committee that developed the new standard.
The new technical specification ISO/TS 16071, Ergonomics of human-system interaction—Guidance on accessibility for human-computer interfaces, provides guidance on the design of software that is accessible and connects and interacts with supporting tools such as screen readers, Braille displays, and screen magnification software. To order, contact Ms. Sonia Rosas, Marketing Services, Tel. +41 22 749 03 36, or e-mail ISO Sales.
