Accessibility features for Application Integration BCS

Application Integration BCS includes features that make it accessible to a wider range of users, including users who have limited dexterity, low vision, or other disabilities.

Keyboard navigation

You can use the keyboard to navigate through any tree or list view and to enter information. When you want to complete a task and need to access a command or action like adding a document, press F6. Use the F6 key when you want to navigate the tree or list view. The F6 key helps you move your cursor to the task you want to start, such as entering search criteria.

Click versus tab focus

To navigate efficiently using the keyboard, it is important to understand the distinction between click focus and tab focus. If you only use the mouse to navigate, tab focus is unimportant; however, tab focus is essential to using keyboard shortcuts.

When Application Integration BCS displays a dialog box like warnings or errors, focus is set back to the top of the page after closing the dialog box or window. Press F6 to return to your original focus location.

Keyboard navigation when using JAWS

Virtual PC Cursor mode

The JAWS screen reader default is in the Virtual PC Cursor mode.

Pressing Enter or the Spacebar to activate the default action

On a user interface where you press Enter to activate the default action after pressing Enter to make a selection, JAWS causes the second Enter to be ignored. To activate the default action, you must tab to the button corresponding to the default action and then press Enter. For example, when you add a document, you have the option to select a document class. After you tab to the class you want, press Enter to select the class. When not using JAWS, you can press Enter again to activate the OK button and accept your selection. When using JAWS, you must first tab to the OK button before pressing Enter again.

You can also press the spacebar to activate actions.

JAWS Links List

When using the JAWS Links List, two entries are displayed for each item in the list view.

Filtered choice lists

If the choice lists allow you to filter the list based on your input, the screen reader announces the first available choice in the list. You can use the arrow keys to navigate through the list.

Keyboard shortcuts

You can use shortcut keys to navigate quickly without a mouse. Use the table to determine the keys to use. The plus sign (+) indicates keys that must be pressed at the same time.

Area Function Keyboard action
General To move from one pane to another, such as modifying properties in the Properties pane to entering search criteria in the Search pane Press Shift+F6.
  To move forward and backward through the major elements of the page, or through a specialized section such as a folder selector pane Press Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow (forward).
Press Ctrl+Shift+Up arrow (backward).
TIP Press the tab key to move the tab focus to the first item in the section.
Properties

To activate a button

Move the tab focus to the Add, Modify, or Cancel button and press the spacebar.
  To move your cursor to add or modify properties Press F6.

Application Integration BCS supports standard keyboard shortcuts. See your Microsoft Office application documentation for more information about the keyboard shortcuts available to you.

Navigating pop-up windows

At various times, Application Integration BCS displays information or error messages in a pop-up window. This section explains how to navigate each type of window using the keyboard, and other accessibility information.

Pop-up window type Keyboard options
Information To close, tab to OK or Cancel, and press Enter.
Alert

To close, tab to OK or Cancel, and press Enter.

Error

To view the full error message, tab to Error output and press Enter. Then tab to the error message. To close, tab to OK or Cancel, and press Enter.

NOTE  In Virtual PC Cursor mode, the focus resets to the top of the current page after the pop-up windows is closed.

Input Type the requested information. To close, tab to OK or Cancel, and press Enter.

Specifying dates

When you specify a date, you often have the option to select the date from a pop-up calendar window. You can select a date from the calendar using the keyboard. To specify the date using the keyboard, type the date in the date field. The JAWS screen reader does not announce the date you select.

Page updates

If you change the selected value of an option, Application Integration BCS updates the values in related fields. For example if you change the Filter by class selection on the search page, the properties available to you are automatically updated to folder properties.

Screen readers

When you change object stores or search modes, the screen reader refrains from reading until the page to which you are changing is loaded. If a portion of the page is refreshed after being processed by the screen reader, the screen reader might not be able to detect the change.