Overview
CEN ISO/TR 22411:2021 - Ergonomics data for use in the application of ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 is a technical report that supplies ergonomics data to help standard developers address accessibility for older people and people with sensory, physical, or cognitive disabilities. Endorsed by CEN and prepared by ISO/TC 159 and CEN/TC 122, it supersedes the 2011 edition. The report provides quantitative and contextual human data - drawn from ergonomics research - to support accessible product, system, service, environment, and facility design. It focuses specifically on ageing and disability-related effects and is not an exhaustive compilation where data are lacking.
Key Topics
The document organizes ergonomics data by sensory, physical and cognitive capabilities and covers:
- Data selection & format - guidance on choosing and applying human data for standards.
- Sensory characteristics
- Vision (colour sensitivity, contrast, visual acuity, lighting, legibility, glare)
- Hearing (age-related hearing loss, speech audibility, tone perception)
- Touch (tactile spatial resolution, legibility of tactile symbols)
- Thermal sense (surface/air temperature, thermal comfort)
- Physical characteristics and capabilities
- Body size and reach ranges, grip and hand function, stepping and walking, ramp slopes, muscle strength and endurance (grip, pushing, pulling, lifting), dexterity and coordination
- Cognitive characteristics
- Attention, dual-task performance, processing speed, memory, language and literacy impacts of ageing and cognitive disability
- Context- and task-specific data - applied examples such as indicator visibility, stair tread depth, font size, announcement loudness, and reachable control placement.
Applications
This report is practical for:
- Standard developers applying ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 to systematically address accessibility requirements in standards.
- Ergonomists, product and inclusive designers who need evidence-based human data to design accessible interfaces, controls, signage, furniture, public transport, buildings and services.
- Procurement teams and policy makers specifying accessibility criteria based on human capabilities.
Practical use cases include choosing minimum font sizes and contrast for legibility, sizing reach envelopes for older users, setting ramp gradients for wheelchair operation, and defining audible announcement levels for older listeners.
Who uses this standard
- Standardization bodies and technical committees
- Human factors and ergonomics professionals
- Industrial, interaction and inclusive designers
- Accessibility specialists, planners, and regulatory agencies
Related Standards
- ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 - guidance on addressing the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities in standards.
- CEN ISO/TR 22411:2011 - previous edition (superseded).
Keywords: ergonomics data, accessibility, ISO/TR 22411:2021, ISO/IEC Guide 71, ageing, disabilities, human characteristics, design guidance.