13.2 Alternative event handlers and device dependence
The New Zealand Web Standards 2.0 were released in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0 (below). See Meeting the standards for more information.
The Standard
13.2 For scripts and applets, ensure that in the absence of a mouse or equivalent device - have an alternative event handler and specify logical event handlers rather than device-dependent event handlers.
Guide to this standard
Event handlers are input device-independent.
It is so easy to only consider the common "point and click" devices (i.e. mouse) in web design and development and then have a web site primarily dependent on the specific functionality of such devices.
This standard covers the W3C WAI checkpoints 6.4 and 9.3 for NZ government agencies.
Rationale for this standard
The principal consideration here is with navigation devices. Design and development consideration should be to generic navigation, not a specific navigation device (i.e. a mouse). Users who do not and/or can not use such devices are disadvantaged if a site has been designed with dependence on specific device types (such as a mouse for navigation). Likewise, the corresponding event handlers should not be device specific.
