Oracle Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Name of Product: Oracle Solaris 10 8/11
 Last Updated: 24-Aug-2011

This VPAT applies to only version 10 8/11. It does not apply to any versions of Oracle Solaris after this.
 This VPAT has been superseded by Oracle Solaris 10 1/13

Oracle Solaris 10 8/11 contains multiple user interfaces (UIs); this assessment covers the command line, a web UI, GNOME GTK, and Java Swing UIs. The Java AWT and Motif CDE UIs are not assessed due to accessibility limitations of them and their functionality is available via the assessed UIs.

The following assistive technologies are included in this release:

  • Gnopernicus 2.6 Screen Reader and Magnifier
  • GNOME On Screen Keyboard (GOK)
  • AccessX capabilities including Sticky-keys, Slow-keys, Mouse-keys, Bounce-keys, etc.
  • Accessible Theme (High Contrast Large Print Inverse Theme)

The following issues are some of the more serious issues that have been reported with this product, and have not yet been resolved.

  • Oracle Solaris 10 is based on GNOME 2.6. Many accessibility issues have been corrected in later versions of GNOME.
  • The installation process is not accessible. Use of OpenSolaris 2008.11 or later is accessible.
  • Gpdf is the default PDF document viewer, it has limitations including: While keyboard navigation is supplied for the menu commands, some functions such as creation of hyperlinks is missing. PDF caret browsing also does not support keyboard navigation. Some functions are exposed only through the Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) application programming interface (API). Since there is no comparable standard for non-Windows platforms, exposing focus programmatically, information about user interface elements, exposure of textual attributes and text input caret locations and forms information are not available. Adobe provides free online PDF-to-text, or PDF-to-HTML conversion services for users that can't take advantage of MSAA tools on the Window platform.

Information regarding accessibility of the GNOME desktop can be found in the GNOME Desktop Accessibility Guide.

The information below describes this product's ability to support the applicable U.S. Section 508 standards, subject to Oracle's interpretation of those standards and the remarks in this document.

For more information regarding the accessibility status of this product or other Oracle products, see https://www.oracle.com/accessibility/ or contact: accessible_ww@oracle.com.

 


Note: This document is provided for information purposes only and the contents hereof are subject to change without notice. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that this document is error free, nor does it provide any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Oracle Corporation specifically disclaims any liability with respect to this document and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document. Oracle further makes no representation concerning the ability of assistive technologies or other products to interoperate with Oracle products. This VPAT addresses the named product(s) only and not prerequisite products for which Oracle supplies restricted use licenses.


Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested for AccessX. The features provided in Solaris Desktop can be achieved with keyboard accessibility features, which include sticky keys, slow keys, bounce keys, toggle keys and mouse keys. The accelerate keys and shortcut keys defined in application are also supported.

Exceptions include:

  • Unable to move focus in the browser in/out of plugins via the keyboard.
  • The Printer Preferences window can be navigated via keyboard, but does not work with gnopernicus.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested for accessibility features we shipped in Solaris. User can access the Solaris Desktop features with different assistive technologies, including Gnopernicus screen reader and magnifier, keyboard navigation/AccessX, HighContrastLargePrintInverse theme, and GOK.

Exceptions include:

  • Full screen magnification is available during GDM login only, it is not available during dtlogin.
  • Magnification encounters issues with workspace switcher, setting background properties, screenshot app, yelp.
  • GNOME Bugzilla bug: 455532 GOK should grab nothing except screen lock window when screen is locked. This bug requires all users to use a standard keyboard to input password in the lock-screen dialog.
  • GNOME Bugzilla bug: 574713 Failure to configure GOK's other input device on Xorg-1.5.2+. This bug stops the GOK user from configuring the additional input devices, e.g. switch, pointer or headtracker.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested with several assistive tools, including Gnopernicus screen reader and magnifier, at-poke and GOK. The focus indicator is visible, and programmatically exposed to AT.

Exceptions include:

  • Password field missing focus and flashing caret if using the GUI login.
  • GNOME Bugzilla bug: 364421 GOK failed to grab the slide bar. The work around is to use GOK composer and change the slider with Arrow keys.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested with different assistive tools. The role, state and value of controls are available to AT, so that AT can access these information, monitor the status change and convey them to AT users. Functional images do have meaningful alternative text, such as text label description.

Exceptions include:

  • Operations requiring root access from a user login are not accessible to AT. All root operations are supported via the command line interface (CLI).
  • Window list applet provides an incorrect name to the screen reader.
  • Magnification does not work with workspace switcher, setting background properties, screenshot app, yelp.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested with different assistive tools, including Gnopernicus screen reader and magnifier, at-poke. Images have meaningful alternative text, they can be accessed by AT. The images are consistent within Desktop.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested with different assistive tools. Textual information can be accessed by Gnopernicus screen reader and magnifier, at-poke, the textual input control, location of the caret are accessible to AT.
1194.21(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested with High Contrast Large Print Inverse theme. It is compliant with the theme settings.

Exceptions include:

  • In GNOME, Firefox, Mozilla, Thunderbird and Evolution, some applets and applications are either non-themeable or have an applet or application within them are not themeable.
  • In Firefox and Mozilla, plugins and UI elements are not themeable.
  • In GNOME some application toolbar icons are not themeable.
  • In Sun Update Manager GUI, the background color is set to white and can not be change.
1194.21(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested, there is no moving, blinking, or scrolling information that lasts for more than three seconds.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested for color or font styles are not used as the only visual means of conveying information. Textual information is available In addition to color and font style.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested for:

  • Text and images of text in non-disabled controls have a luminosity contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. Large scale text has a minimum ratio of at least 3:1
  • Colors can be set via the Desktop theme.

Exceptions include:

  • Firefox, Mozilla and Thunderbird do not always respect settings.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested and does not have screen flicker or flash with a frequency between 2 Hz and 55 Hz.
1194.21(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Solaris Desktop has been tested and the form elements have been associated with text labels, the labels are accessible to at-tool, say Orca screen reader.

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Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet Information and Applications
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.22(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Images that convey information have meaningful alternative text using ALT
  • Images that are decorative are marked up using ALT=””
  • Data tables specify SUMMARY or CAPTION
1194.22(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. Not Applicable

No multimedia presentations included.
1194.22(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product has been tested for:

  • color or font styles are not used as the only visual means of conveying information. Textual information is available In addition to color and font style.
1194.22(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Style sheets are used only to change the layout and presentation of the screen
1194.22(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. Not Applicable Server-side image maps are not used.
1194.22(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 Client-side image maps are not used.
1194.22(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Table usage – only data tables, as opposed to layout tables, use table elements of TH and CAPTION and table attributes of SUMMARY, SCOPE, HEADERS and AXIS
  • Each column of a data table is marked up with TH and SCOPE=”COL”
  • Each row of a data table has at least one column marked as the row header with SCOPE=”ROW”
1194.22(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Complex data tables with multiple levels of table headings use the ID, HEADERS, and AXIS attributes.
1194.22(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • FRAMES are titled with meaningful text
1194.22(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 No elements flicker or blink.
1194.22(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

Text–only pages are not necessary because pages have been coded to meet other applicable standards, to the extent indicated.
1194.22(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Content generated by JavaScript has been coded to meet other applicable standards
1194.22(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

Plug-in and applets are not used.
1194.22(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. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product has been tested for:

  • Form elements have been associated with text labels, the labels are accessible to at-tool
1194.22(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • A ‘Skip to Main Content’ link is provided to skip repetitive navigation links at the top of the page.
1194.22(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Product has been developed to conform to this standard subject to the remarks on the right.

The product was tested for:

  • Time limits can be extended by the user.

Note to 1194.22: The Board interprets paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section as consistent with the following priority 1 Checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) (May 5 1999) published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium: Paragraph (a) - 1.1, (b) - 1.4, (c) - 2.1, (d) - 6.1, (e) - 1.2, (f) - 9.1, (g) - 5.1, (h) - 5.2, (i) - 12.1, (j) - 7.1, (k) - 11.4.

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Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.23(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  
1194.23(b) Telecommunications products which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly used cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. Not Applicable  
1194.23(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY users with their TTYs. Not Applicable  
1194.23(d) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications 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  
1194.23(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  
1194.23(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  
1194.23(g) If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receive volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Not Applicable  
1194.23(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  
1194.23(i) Interference 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  
1194.23(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 a 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  
1194.23(k)(1) For products which have mechanically operated controls or keys, controls and keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. Not Applicable  
1194.23(k)(2) For products which have mechanically operated controls or keys, controls do not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate. Not Applicable  
1194.23(k)(3) 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  
1194.23(k)(4) The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. Not Applicable  

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Section 1194.24 Video and Multimedia Products
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.24(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  
1194.24(b) Television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio program playback circuitry. Not Applicable  
1194.24(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. Not Applicable  
1194.24(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. Not Applicable  
1194.24(e) Display or presentation of alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable unless permanent. Not Applicable  

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Section 1194.25 Self Contained, Closed Products
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.25(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  
1194.25(b) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Not Applicable  
1194.25(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with Section 1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(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  
1194.25(j)(1) 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. Not Applicable  
1194.25(j)(2) 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. Not Applicable  
1194.25(j)(3) 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. Not Applicable  
1194.25(j)(4) Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane. Not Applicable  

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Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.26(a) All mechanically operated controls and keys shall comply with Section 1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
1194.26(b) If a product utilizes touchscreens or touch-operated controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with Section 1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
1194.26(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  
1194.26(d) Where provided, at least one of each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly available industry standards. Not Applicable  

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Section 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.31(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. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards.
 
1194.31(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 who are visually impaired shall be provided. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards. 
1194.31(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. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards. 
1194.31(d) Where audio information is important for the use of a 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. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards. 
1194.31(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. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards. 
1194.31(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. Yes Subject to the information provided in this document, this product has been developed to conform to the applicable technical provisions of the 508 standards. 

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Section 1194.41 Information, Documentation and Support
Criteria
Supporting Features
Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided)
1194.41(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. Documentation for this product is available in accessible electronic format.  
1194.41(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. Documentation for this product is available in accessible electronic format.  
1194.41(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. Oracle customers have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support or by calling Oracle Support at 1.800.223.1711. Hearing-impaired customers in the U.S. who wish to speak to an Oracle Support representative may use a telecommunications relay service (TRS). Information about the TRS is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/trs.html, and a list of telephone numbers is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trsphonebk.html. International hearing-impaired customers should use the TRS at +1.605.224.1837. An Oracle Support engineer will respond to technical issues according to the standard service request process.   

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