ISO/IEC 20071-5:2022 - Overview
ISO/IEC 20071-5:2022 specifies requirements and recommendations for making accessibility settings on information devices accessible and usable. The standard focuses on the user interface for adjusting accessibility features (the accessibility setting mode) and how users can access, operate, save and directly activate specific accessibility features. It applies to all operating system user interfaces on information and communications technologies (ICTs) from the point where the OS is fully functional and awaiting user interaction.
The document is intended to ensure that people with disabilities can independently enable and configure assistive features (e.g., screen readers, screen magnifiers, keyboard filters) without external help.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Accessibility setting mode
- Requirements for the contents and interface of the mode.
- Guidance for accessibility setting mode availability before login.
- Items of accessibility setting
- Input-related features: examples and definitions (BounceKeys™, StickyKeys™, SlowKeys™, FilterKeys™, MouseKeys™, RepeatKeys™, ToggleKeys™).
- Output-related features: screen magnifier, screen reader, auditory/visual feedback (ShowSounds™, SoundSentry™).
- Shortcuts and direct activation
- General shortcuts to invoke accessibility features.
- Shortcuts specifically to open accessibility settings or activate features/preset modes.
- Saving and modifying settings
- Requirements/recommendations for saving accessibility parameters so users retain personalized configurations.
- Definitions and scope controls
- Clear definitions (accessibility feature/setting, accessibility setting mode, login vs boot mode) and explicit exclusions (storing/retrieving stored user profiles, closed functionality that doesn’t support assistive technology, boot mode).
The standard includes an informative annex (examples of shortcut keys and voice commands) and references ISO 9241-171:2008 for software accessibility guidance.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- Device manufacturers (smartphones, tablets, PCs, kiosks, TVs) and OS developers to design accessible system settings and login experiences.
- Application and firmware teams integrating OS-level accessibility features (screen readers, magnifiers, on‑screen keyboards).
- Accessibility product designers and UX teams ensuring users with visual, hearing or motor disabilities can enable and personalize assistive features independently.
- Procurement officers and accessibility assessors using the standard as a criteria for evaluating ICT device accessibility.
Related standards
- ISO 9241-171:2008 - Ergonomics of human-system interaction: guidance on software accessibility.
- Other parts of the ISO/IEC 20071 series covering user interface component accessibility.
By standardizing how accessibility settings are exposed, activated and saved, ISO/IEC 20071-5:2022 helps ensure ICT devices are usable by people with disabilities and supports inclusive product design.