Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 14 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Subtitle 33 - DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Chapter 14.33.02 - Information and Communication Technology Nonvisual Access Standards
Section 14.33.02.04 - Hardware
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 14.33.02.04
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024
A. Scope. The requirements of this regulation shall apply to ICT that is hardware if required by Regulation .02 of this chapter and if otherwise referenced in this chapter.
B. Closed Functionality.
(1) ICT with closed functionality shall be operable without requiring the user to attach or install assistive technology other than personal headsets or other audio couplers.
(2) Speech-Output Enabled Exceptions. The following are exceptions to §B(3) of this regulation:
(a) Speech output shall not be required if ICT display screens only provide status indicators and those indicators conform to §H of this regulation in lieu of subsection §B(3) of this regulation.
(b) If speech cannot be supported due to constraints in available memory or processor capability, ICT shall be permitted to conform to §H of this regulation.
(c) Audible tones shall be permitted instead of speech output if the content of user input is not displayed as entered for security purposes, including, but not limited to, asterisks representing personal identification numbers.
(d) Speech output shall not be required for the:
(i) Machine location;
(ii) Date and time of transaction;
(iii) Customer account number; and
(iv) Machine identifier or label.
(e) Speech output shall not be required for advertisements and other similar information unless they convey information that can be used for the transaction being conducted.
(3) Speech-Output Enabled.
(a) ICT with a display screen shall be speech-output enabled for full and independent use by individuals with vision impairments.
(b) Information Displayed On-Screen. Speech output shall be provided for all information displayed on-screen.
(c) Transactional Outputs. If transactional outputs are provided, the speech output shall audibly provide all information necessary to verify a transaction.
(d) Speech Delivery Type and Coordination.
(i) Speech output shall be delivered through a mechanism that is readily available to all users, including, but not limited to, an industry standard connector or a telephone handset.
(ii) Speech shall be recorded or digitized human or synthesized.
(iii) Speech output shall be coordinated with information displayed on the screen.
(e) User Control. The requirements for user control are as follows:
(i) Speech output for any single function shall be automatically interrupted when a transaction is selected.
(ii) Speech output shall be capable of being repeated and paused.
(4) Braille Instructions Exception. Section B(5) of this regulation does not apply to devices for personal use.
(5) Braille Instructions. The Braille Instructions are as follows:
(a) If speech output is required by §B(3) of this regulation, braille instructions for initiating the speech mode of operation shall be provided.
(b) Braille shall be contracted and shall conform to 36 CFR § 1191 .D.703.3.1. which is incorporated by reference herein.
C. Volume.
(1) ICT that delivers sound, including speech output required by §B(3) of this regulation shall provide volume control and output amplification conforming to this section.
(2) Private Listening. The volume requirements for private listening are as follows:
(a) If ICT provides private listening, it shall provide a mode of operation for controlling the volume.
(b) If ICT delivers output by an audio transducer typically held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided.
(3) Nonprivate Listening. The volume requirements for nonprivate listening are as follows:
(a) If ICT provides nonprivate listening, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB.
(b) A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use.
(4) Characters on Display Screens.
(a) At least one mode of characters displayed on the screen shall be in a sans serif font.
(b) If ICT does not provide a screen enlargement feature, characters shall be 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) high, at a minimum, based on the uppercase letter "I".
(c) Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
D. Biometrics.
(1) Exception. If at least two biometric options that use different biological characteristics are provided, ICT shall be permitted to use biometrics as the only means for user identification or control.
(2) If provided, biometrics shall not be the only means for user identification or control.
E. Preservation of Information Provided for Accessibility. ICT that transmits or converts information or communication shall not remove nonproprietary information provided for accessibility or shall restore it upon delivery.
F. Privacy. The privacy requirements are as follows:
(1) The same degree of privacy of input and output shall be provided to all individuals.
(2) When speech output required by §B(3) of this regulation is enabled, the screen shall not blank automatically.
G. Standard Connections. If data connections used for input and output are provided, at least one of each type of connection shall conform to industry standard nonproprietary formats.
H. Operable Parts. The operable parts requirements are as follows:
(1) If provided, operable parts used in the normal operation of ICT shall conform to this section.
(2) Contrast. If 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.
(3) Input Controls Exceptions. Devices for personal use with input controls that are audibly discernable without activation and operable by touch shall not be required to conform to §H(4) of this regulation.
(4) Input Controls. At least one input control conforming to this section shall be provided for each function.
(5) Tactilely Discernible. Input controls shall be operable by touch and tactilely discernible without activation.
(6) Alphabetic Keys. If provided, individual alphabetic keys shall be arranged in a QWERTY-based keyboard layout, and the "F" and "J" keys shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys.
(7) Numeric Keys.
(a) If provided, numeric keys shall be arranged in a 12-key ascending or descending keypad layout.
(b) The number five key shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys.
(c) If the ICT provides an alphabetic overlay on numeric keys, the relationships between letters and digits shall conform to 36 CFR § 1194 .C.407.3.3, which is incorporated by reference.
(8) Key Repeat. If 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.
(9) Timed Response. If 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.
(10) Tickets, Fare Cards, and Keycards. If tickets, fare cards, or keycards are provided, they shall have an orientation that is tactilely discernible if orientation is important to further use of the ticket, fare card, or keycard.
I. Display Screens.
(1) If provided, display screens shall conform to this regulation.
(2) Visibility. If stationary ICT provides one or more display screens, at least one of each type of display screen shall be visible from a point located 40 inches (1015 mm) above the floor space where the display screen is viewed.
(3) Flashing Exception. Flashes that do not exceed the general flash and red flash thresholds as defined in The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AAA (June 5,2018), as incorporated by reference under COMAR 13A.06.05.02, are not required to conform to §I (4) of this regulation.
(4) Flashing. If ICT emits lights in flashes, there shall be no more than three flashes in any 1-second period.
J. Status Indicators. If provided, status indicators shall be discernible visually and by touch or sound.
K. Color Coding. If provided, color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.
L. Caller ID. If provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall be visible and audible.
M. Closed Caption Processing Technologies.
(1) If ICT displays or processes video with synchronized audio, ICT shall provide closed caption processing technology that conforms to this section.
(2) Decoding and Display of Closed Captions. Players and displays shall decode closed caption data and support display of captions.
(3) Pass-Through of Closed Caption Data. Cabling and ancillary equipment shall pass through caption data.
N. Audio Description Processing Technologies.
(1) If ICT displays or processes video with synchronized audio, ICT shall provide audio description processing technology conforming to this section.
(2) Digital Television Tuners. Digital television tuners shall be considered nonvisually accessible if the ICT provides audio description processing that conforms to the requirements of 36 CFR § 1194 .C.414.1.1, which is incorporated by reference.
(3) Other ICT. ICT other than digital television tuners shall provide audio description processing.
O. User Controls for Captions and Audio Descriptions.
(1) If ICT displays video with synchronized audio, ICT shall provide user controls for closed captions and audio descriptions conforming to this section.
(2) Exception. Devices for personal use shall not be required to conform to this section, provided that captions and audio descriptions can be enabled through systemwide platform settings.
(3) Caption Controls. If ICT provides operable parts for volume control, ICT shall also provide operable parts for caption selection.
(4) Audio Description Controls. If ICT provides operable parts for program selection, ICT shall also provide operable parts for the selection of audio description.
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