Office Application Accessibility Review: OpenOffice Calc 3.2 (for Windows) | Accessible Digital Office Document (ADOD) Project

Version
Date of Current Version: 16 February 2011
Latest Version (HTML): http://inclusivedesign.ca/accessible-office-documents/oocalc-win-review

Contents
Usage Notes
Review Results
Screen Reader Test 1. Accessing an Existing Test Document
Screen Reader Test 2. Creating a New Document
Acknowledgments

Usage Notes

Overview

At the time of testing (February, 2011), OpenOffice Calc v.3.2 (for Windows) was found to be relatively accessible using keyboard navigation. In addition, screen reader testing appeared to show that use is possible with NVDA 2010.2, but with important limitations, including the need for assistance during installation.

Testing Details

Screen reader testing was performed on Windows 7 using NVDA 2010.2. Our tester was not able to access the application with JAWS 11.
Keyboard navigation testing was performed on Windows 7.

Disclaimer

This document is provided for information purposes only and is neither a recommendation nor a guarantee of results.
If errors are found, please report them to: adod-comments@idrc.ocad.ca.

Review Results

This table summarizes the result of our reviews using the “ADOD Assessment Framework: Success criteria for assessing the accessibility of office application user interfaces”

ADOD Assessment Framework: Success criteria for assessing the accessibility of office application user interfaces	Result
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.1] Use all applicable operating system and accessibility standards and conventions that are important or essential to accessibility. The techniques for this checkpoint include references to checklists and guidelines for a number of platforms and to general guidelines for accessible applications. ADOD Note: The Checkpoint is very general, and includes: Supporting relevant accessibility API(s); Web-based tools conforming to WCAG; Keyboard access; Providing keyboard shortcuts where recommended for a platform; Respecting platform settings (such as “high contrast” modes); and Providing documentation.	Yes. Screen reader support is confirmed by testing (see below). Most features are keyboard accessible. Keys assigned to desktop system are not available to OpenOffice applications. Menu bar, tool bars, windows, and document accessible without mouse. Shortcut keys for mouse actions. Respects platform settings including Windows “high contrast” mode.
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.2] Allow the author to change the presentation within editing views without affecting the [office document]. This allows the author to edit the document according to personal requirements, without changing the way the document is rendered when published.	Yes. “Zoom” feature and support for Windows platform high contrast settings.
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.3] Allow the author to edit all properties of each element and object in an accessible fashion.	Mostly. Some inserted graphical objects (e.g., shapes) appear to require the mouse be used for editing.
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.4] Ensure that the editing view allows navigation via the structure of the document in an accessible fashion.	Yes. Via the “Navigator” feature, mouse required, no shortcut keys for the “Navigator”.
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.5] Enable editing of the structure of the document in an accessible fashion.	Yes. Via the “Navigator” feature, mouse required, no shortcut keys for the “Navigator”.
[ADOD-Office-Applications-UI 7.6] Allow the author to search within editing views.	Yes. Via the “Find and Replace” feature.

Screen Reader Test 1. Accessing an Existing Test Document

In this test, the evaluator used a screen reader to explore a pre-existing test document that had been created by a sighted colleague, following the “Authoring Techniques for Accessible Office Documents: OpenOffice Calc 3.2”. The test document included the elements in the left-hand column (i.e., heading, table of contents, etc.).

Able to Access?	NVDA 2010.2
Image with “alt” text	No. NVDA did recognize the alternative text for the image in the appropriate cell.
Data table	Yes.
Bar chart with “alt” text	No.
Formatted text	Yes. The NVDA text attributes command (NVDA key + f) identified the formatting, but not the change in color.
Cell with a note on it	No. NVDA read the text from the cell, but did not announce a note.
Search function	Yes.

Screen Reader Test 2. Creating a New Document

In this test, the evaluator used a screen reader to create a new test document which was to include the elements in the left-hand column (i.e., two levels of heading, an image, etc.).

Able to accomplish?	NVDA 2010.2
Add and then edit regular text (e.g. do a select-cut-paste)	Yes. To cut and paste an entire cell of text it is necessary to select the cell, cut, move to the new cell, and then to paste. To cut a segment of text from the currently selected cell it is necessary to press F2 to focus on the cell edit control, to select the desired text, to cut, to find the new cell, and to paste.
Insert an image	Yes. Using Insert > Picture > From file… After the image was inserted it was possible to use Format > Picture to add alternative text. Once escape was pressed, the image object lost focus and it was not possible to bring it back or to find it in the document with NVDA.
Insert a 3-by-3 data table and fill it with content	Yes.
Create a chart from data table	Yes. Using Insert > Chart. Once the chart was created, it was not possible to bring it back or to find it in the document with NVDA.
Use text formatting (bold, text colour)	Yes.
Save document	Yes.
Other Comments by the Screen Reader Tester:	It was not possible to install OpenOffice without sighted assistance since the wizard that appeared when starting the application for the first time, was not accessible with JAWS or NVDA. To install OpenOffice so that it is accessible to AT on Windows you must. Install OpenOffice Install the Java Access Bridge for Windows (v. 2.0.1). Open OpenOffice and enable AT support from Tools > Options > Accessibility

Acknowledgments

This document was produced as part of the Accessible Digital Office Document (ADOD) Project (http://inclusivedesign.ca/accessible-office-documents).
This project has been developed by the Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University as part of an EnAbling Change Partnership project with the Government of Ontario and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Partner logos: UNESCO-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Government of Ontario and the Inclusive Design Research Centre (OCAD University)

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