15.2 Unique interfacing and device-independence
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
15.2 Ensure that any element that has its own interface can be operated in a device-independent manner and is also directly accessible or compatible with assistive technologies.
Guide to this standard
This standard covers the W3C WAI checkpoints 8.1 and 9.2 for NZ government agencies.
Related Standard
13.2 - Alternative event handlers and device dependence.
Rationale for this standard
A mouse as a navigation tool is a common example. Not all users utilise a mouse for navigational purposes. A mouse is a device that assists navigation, but not the only one. Users who suffer from one or more impairments may use other devices for navigation assistance. Correspondingly, if events catered for assistive devices and user interfaces are device-specific (such as "drag and drop" with a mouse), or alternative events not additionally catered for, they may not be recognised by other devices substituted for equivalent functionality.
