407 Operable Parts

See also: Final Rule published to the Federal Register 1/18/17 that jointly updates requirements for ICT covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communication Act.

407 Operable Parts

407.1 General.

Where provided, operable parts of ICT shall conform to 407.

Where provided, keys and controls shall contrast visually from background surfaces. Characters and symbols shall contrast visually from background surfaces with either light characters or symbols on a dark background or dark characters or symbols on a light background.

407.3 Tactilely Discernible.

At least one tactilely discernible input control shall be provided for each function and shall conform to 407.3.

EXCEPTION: Devices for personal use with input controls that are audibly discernable without activation and operable by touch shall not be required to be tactilely discernible.

407.3.1 Identification.

Input controls shall be tactilely discernible without activation and operable by touch. Where provided, key surfaces outside active areas of the display screen shall be raised above surrounding surfaces.

407.3.2 Alphabetic Keys.

Where provided, individual alphabetic keys shall be arranged in a QWERTY keyboard layout and the “F” and “J” keys shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys. Where the ICT provides an alphabetic overlay on numeric keys, the relationships between letters and digits shall conform to ITU-T Recommendation E.161 (incorporated by reference in Chapter 1).

407.3.3 Numeric Keys.

Where provided, numeric keys shall be arranged in a 12-key ascending or descending keypad layout. The number five key shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys.

Advisory 407.3.3 Numeric Keys. A telephone keypad and a keypad on a computer keyboard differ in one significant feature, ascending versus descending numerical order of the layout. Some keypads will have a double width zero key and decimal key instead of the asterisk and pound signs found on a telephone keypad. These examples conform to this provision.

407.4 Key Repeat.

Where a keyboard with key repeat is provided, the delay before the key repeat feature is activated shall be fixed at, or adjustable to, 2 seconds minimum.

407.5 Timed Response.

Where a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted visually, as well as by touch or sound, and shall be given the opportunity to indicate that more time is needed.

407.6 Status Indicators.

Status indicators, including all locking or toggle controls or keys (e.g., Caps Lock and Num Lock keys), shall be discernible visually and by touch or sound.

407.7 Color.

Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.

407.8 Audio Signaling.

Audio signaling shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, or prompting a response.

407.9 Operation.

At least one mode of operation shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

407.10 Privacy.

The same degree of privacy of input and output shall be provided to all individuals. When speech output required by 402.2 is enabled, the screen shall not blank automatically.

Advisory 407.10 Privacy. Under most circumstances, it is not necessary to blank the screen when the audio output is in use in order to ensure users with disabilities have a comparable degree of privacy. However, where screen blanking would be useful, the option to blank the screen must be under the control of the user.

407.11 Keys, Tickets, and Fare Cards.

Where keys, tickets, or fare cards are provided, keys, tickets, and fare cards shall have an orientation that is tactilely discernible if orientation is important to further use of the key, ticket, or fare card.

Advisory 407.11 Keys, Tickets, and Fare Cards. Examples of keys include electronic machine-readable pass cards and identification badges. Examples of ways to make orientation tactilely discernible include braille labels, off-center holes, and a notched corner.

407.12 Reach Height.

At least one of each type of operable part of stationary ICT shall be at a height conforming to 407.12.2 or 407.12.3 according to its position established in 407.12.1 for a side reach or a forward reach.

Advisory 407.12 Reach Height. This provision allows operable parts of ICT to be designed to be reached by a person seated in a wheelchair from a forward or side position, depending upon the design. For additional information on forward and side reaches, see 28 CFR Part 1191 Appendix D.

407.12.1 Vertical Reference Plane.

Operable parts shall be positioned for a side reach or a forward reach determined with respect to a vertical reference plane. The vertical reference plane shall be located in conformance to 407.12.2 or 407.12.3.

407.12.1.1 Vertical Plane for Side Reach.

Where a side reach is provided, the vertical reference plane shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) long minimum.

407.12.1.2 Vertical Plane for Forward Reach.

Where a forward reach is provided, the vertical reference plane shall be 30 inches (760 mm) long minimum.

Three plan drawings show a person using a wheelchair making a parallel approach to a 48 inch (1220 mm) minimum long vertical plane with this vertical plane centered on the control area of the equipment; a forward approach to a 30 inch (760 mm) minimum long vertical plane centered on the control area of the equipment; and a forward approach to a 30 inch (760 mm) minimum long vertical plane centered on the control area of the equipment with the users knees and toes sliding partially under the equipment.

Figure 407.12.1

407.12.2 Side Reach.

Operable parts of ICT providing a side reach shall conform to 407.12.2.1 or 407.12.2.2. The vertical reference plane shall be centered on the operable part and placed at the leading edge of the maximum protrusion of the ICT within the length of the vertical reference plane. Where a side reach requires a reach over a portion of the ICT, the height of that portion of the ICT shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum.

407.12.2.1 Unobstructed Side Reach.

Where the operable part is located 10 inches (255 mm) or less beyond the vertical reference plane, the operable part shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor.

Elevation drawing shows a frontal view of a person using a wheelchair making a side reach past a vertical reference plane over an obstruction 34 inches (865 mm) maximum high. The obstruction depth is 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. The vertical reach range is 15 inches (380 mm) minimum to 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum.

Figure 407.12.2.1

407.12.2.2 Obstructed Side Reach.

Where the operable part is located more than 10 inches (255 mm), but not more than 24 inches (610 mm), beyond the vertical reference plane, the height of the operable part shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor. The operable part shall not be located more than 24 inches (610 mm) beyond the vertical reference plane.

Elevation drawing shows a frontal view of a person using a wheelchair making a side reach past a vertical reference plane over an obstruction depth of 10 inches to 24 inches maximum (255 to 610 mm) and 34 inches (865 mm) high maximum. The vertical reach range is 15 inches (380 mm) minimum to 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum.

Figure 407.12.2.2

407.12.3 Forward Reach.

Operable parts of ICT providing a forward reach shall conform to 407.12.3.1 or 407.12.3.2. The vertical reference plane shall be centered, and intersect with, the operable part. Where a forward reach allows a reach over a portion of the ICT, the height of that portion of the ICT shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum.

407.12.3.1 Unobstructed Forward Reach.

Where the operable part is located at the leading edge of the maximum protrusion within the length of the vertical reference plane of the ICT, the operable part shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor.

Elevation drawing shows a side view of a person using a wheelchair reaching forward toward a vertical reference plane and a control area. The lowest vertical reach point is 15 inches (380 mm) minimum and the highest is 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum.

Figure 407.12.3.1

407.12.3.2 Obstructed Forward Reach.

Where the operable part is located beyond the leading edge of the maximum protrusion within the length of the vertical reference plane, the operable part shall conform to 407.12.3.2. The maximum allowable forward reach to an operable part shall be 25 inches (635 mm).

Elevation drawing shows a side view of a person using a wheelchair reaching forward over an obstruction toward a vertical reference plane and a control area. The height of the obstruction is 34 inches (865 mm) maximum. The knee and toe clearance under the obstruction is 27 inches (685 mm) high minimum and 25 inches (635 mm) maximum deep.

Figure 407.12.3.2

407.12.3.2.1 Height.

The height of the operable part shall conform to Table 407.12.3.2.1.

Table 407.12.3.2.1 Operable Part Height

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Two elevation drawings are shown, the left drawing shows a person seated in a wheelchair reaching to a vertical plane to a point on a control area above a portion of equipment which is less than 20 inches (510 mm) deep. The maximum reach height is 48 inches (1220 mm). In the right drawing, the obstruction is at least 20 inches (510 mm) to 25 inches (635 mm) the maximum depth. The maximum reach height is 44 inches (1120 mm).

Figure 407.12.3.2.1

407.12.3.2.2 Knee and Toe Space.

Knee and toe space under ICT shall be 27 inches (685 mm) high minimum, 25 inches (635 mm) deep maximum, and 30 inches (760 mm) wide minimum and shall be clear of obstructions.

EXCEPTIONS:1. Toe space shall be permitted to provide a clear height of 9 inches (230 mm) minimum above the floor and a clear depth of 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the vertical reference plane toward the leading edge of the ICT.

2. At a depth of 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the vertical reference plane toward the leading edge of the ICT, space between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) minimum above the floor shall be permitted to reduce at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) in depth for every 6 inches (150 mm) in height.

Figure 407.12.3.2.2

Figure 407.12.3.2.2 Exception 1

Figure 407.12.3.2.2 Exception 2

Figure 407.12.3.2.2 with both Exceptions applied

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36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM