FileMaker Accessibility

What is Accessibility?

In this context, accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities, to use and operate features and functionality of software applications such as FileMaker. For software to be accessible, users with disabilities must be able to identify where they are in an application, determine what operations can be performed at that point, and operate the major features of the application.

Four types of disabilities must be addressed when determining an application's accessibility: vision, auditory, physical, cognitive disabilities. Typically, accessibility features that address vision and auditory loss will also address cognitive impairments. In most cases, specific software applications or hardware are needed for users with disabilities. Assistive technology (AT) applications such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, and alternative input devices help meet the needs ofusers with disabilities.

The importance of accessible information technology has been strengthened by legislation introduced in 1998. Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act requires that all electronic and information technology developed,procured, maintained, or used by the U.S. Federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.

FileMaker strives to make its software suitable for people with ranges of ability. FileMaker's reputation for creating easy-to-use, highly customizable applications is an example of this. FileMaker considers the needs of users with disabilities in the design, development, and support of its products.

Accessibility with FileMaker

FileMaker's support for accessibility includes direct keyboard commands for many common functions and features, compatibility with assistive technology applications, and leveraging the accessibility features of operating systems. FileMaker's highly customizable application development environment also provides developers with the tools for creating accessible database solutions.

Application Design

FileMaker is significantly easier to learn, set up, and use than many more complex database products. Intuitive interface design, including the consistent use of interface images and good support of macros and color, help make FileMaker accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those with vision loss and cognitive impairments.

Keyboard Access — Direct Commands and Navigation

Keyboard access to application commands and functions are a fundamental part of accessibility. FileMaker utilizes keyboard shortcuts and keyboard access to many common commands and functions, including some navigation. For example, to make accessing scripts easy, the first ten scripts a user creates are automatically assigned a direct key command (ctrl + 1, 2, 3, etc. for Windows andApple Key Symbol+ 1, 2, 3 etc. for Mac). All keyboard commands are documented in onscreen Help.

FileMaker also provides notification of keyboard focus location. The example below shows how FileMaker highlights the active field indicating where the user’s next action will effect.

Screenshot

Compatibility with Assistive Technology

Screen Readers

Screen reader applications scan information on the computer screen and communicate it to the user. This may be done with text-to-speech software or hardware such as refreshable Braille display (a display that uses pins that move up and down to spell out words in Braille). Screen readers work best with text, but they can also read images if text has been assigned to them (commonly through tags).

While FileMaker is compatible with a large number of assistive technologies referenced in Section 508, it is not fully compatible with screen reader applications. For the best experience, use the Instant Web Publishing feature, included with FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Developer, and FileMaker Server 7 Advanced. If you're using FileMaker version 6, use the "Fern Green" style.

This information will be updated as we make more improvements to compatibility with various screen reader applications.

Screen Magnifiers

Screen magnifiers enlarge regions of the screen many times. Screen magnifiers also permit the user to change the default colors of the display so as to provide better contrast. Most screen magnifiers provide a reverse video feature, a common technique to yield high contrast.

Screen magnifiers that come standard with operating systems are Close View for Macintosh and Magnifier for Windows.

Alternative Input Devices

Alternative input devices include keyboards of all shapes and sizes, alternative pointing devices, onscreen keyboard applications, and keyboard enhancement utilities. Voice recognition software can also be considered an alternative method of input. These devices or applications are designed for people with a wide keyboard.

An onscreen keyboard lets users select keys using a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, or touch screen from an image of a keyboard on their monitor. A list of onscreen keyboard application vendors is below under Accessibility Resources.

Voice recognition software allows users to input data or control application functions by speaking. A list of voice recognition software vendors is available below under Accessibility Resources.

Compatibility with OS Accessibility and Logo Certification

To ensure accessibility, software applications must not disrupt or disable accessibility features in the host operating system. FileMaker supports and is compatible with the accessibility features of Windows and Macintosh operating systems. FileMaker's Windows 2000 logo certification and adherence to human interface guidelines help ensure this.

Windows and Macintosh operating systems include accessibility options that enable users with disabilities to customize system-wide settings to improve accessibility. Microsoft Windows accessibility utilities include StickyKeys, FilterKeys, MouseKeys, High Contrast, On-Screen Keyboard, Magnifier, Narrator, and Utility Manager. Macintosh accessibility utilities include Sticky Keys, SlowKeys, MouseKeys, Close View, as well as Speakable Items - Visual and Talking Alerts. Please see the Apple and Microsoft accessibility web sites for a comprehensive list of accessibility features and utilities.

FileMaker Pro 5.5 is certified for Microsoft Windows 2000 and meets Microsoft logo requirements for user interface, which supportthe UI to be customized by settings the user makes at the system level, and that it does not rely solely on mouse, color, or sound for any specific functionality.

Customer Support

FileMaker Customer Support Services support relay calls to better assist those customers with disabilities. Relay calls are telephone transmission services that allow persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled to place telephone calls. Telephone relay service centers, which facilitate both personal and business calls, use a text telephone type (TTY) to communicate over phone lines. For more information, call FileMaker Customer Support Services at: (800) 325-2747. Links to resources on relay calls; including a nationwide directory of relay call service numbers can be found below.

Accessibility Resources on the Web

Government and Non Profit Organizations

Software and Assistive Technology Vendors

Screen Reader Applications

On-Screen Keyboard Applications

Macintosh

Windows

Voice Recognition Software

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE CONCERNING THE BEHAVIOR OF FILEMAKER'S PRODUCTS AND IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FILEMAKER, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL FILEMAKER, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF FILEMAKER, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.