Accessibility features for IBM Connections

Accessibility features assist users who have a disability, such as restricted mobility or limited vision, to use information technology content successfully.

Accessibility features

IBM Connections™ includes the following major accessibility features:
  • Keyboard-only operation
  • Operations that use a screen reader
  • Keys that are discernible by touch but do not activate just by touching them
  • Industry-standard devices for ports and connectors
  • The attachment of alternative input and output devices
  • Screen magnification

IBM Connections uses the latest W3C Standard, WAI-ARIA 1.0 (http://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria/), to ensure compliance to US Section 508, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. To take advantage of accessibility features, use the latest release of your screen reader in combination with the latest web browser that is supported by this product.

The IBM Connections online product documentation in IBM® Knowledge Center is enabled for accessibility. The accessibility features of IBM Knowledge Center are described at http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/doc/kc_help.html#accessibility.

Keyboard navigation

Most keyboards have a Menu key, otherwise known as an Apps key, that functions as right-click. JAWS specifies the key combination of NUMPAD STAR for this purpose.

To display a person's business card, hover over a person's name, and then press Ctrl + Enter to open the business card. Press Tab to set focus to the first element in the business card.

For JAWS users: To activate buttons in the user interface, press the Enter key, even when JAWS announces to use the space bar.

If the application user interface contains a View Demo link, you can download the target video in accessible MP4 format by clicking View Demo and then clicking Download the video in accessible format.

In the IBM Connections banner, Profiles, Communities, Apps, and the user image launch dialogs. Use the Tab key to navigate through the options.

Interface information

The IBM Connections user interfaces do not have content that flashes 2 - 55 times per second.

The IBM Connections web user interfaces rely on cascading style sheets to render content properly and to provide a usable experience. The application provides an equivalent way for low-vision users to use a user’s system display settings, including high-contrast mode. You can control font size by using the device or web browser settings.

The IBM IBM Connections web user interface includes WAI-ARIA navigational landmarks that you can use to quickly navigate to functional areas in the application.

Related accessibility information

In addition to standard IBM help desk and support websites, IBM has established a TTY telephone service for use by deaf or hard of hearing customers to access sales and support services:
TTY service 800-IBM-3383 (800-426-3383) (within North America)

IBM and accessibility

For more information about the commitment that IBM has to accessibility, see IBM Accessibility (www.ibm.com/able).