It is important to remember the
distinction between product functions and product features.
Functions are the “product’s answer to the set of user tasks”;
features are the “user tools” inherent in the product used to perform the
functions (Wood, 1995). Placing a
telephone call is a function; the dial tone and the touch-tone keypad are
features used to accomplish the function. Product
Types have different sets of functions, and each Model within a Type
accomplishes its functions through potentially different features.
This Report focused on features. Across all Product Types, a small but effective set of features currently address the Guidelines. The lists below include all features found on products we analyzed. Note that our analysis did not include in-depth examination or testing. For example, a product that claimed to have a “large, easy to read display” was not measured or otherwise examined for this quality, in the absence of any standards of legibility and testing protocols. There is more information on this problem in the Recommendations.
The first list is made up of common features; the second, uncommon.
We use the term “common” to mean not necessarily ubiquitous, but
found often enough on Models of the relevant Product Types to enable a
reasonably well informed and resolute consumer to find a product with that
feature. Common features were those found on at least twenty Models total from
at least two Product Types. Uncommon
features were in fact found on fewer than ten Models.
Note that some common features are
common only to some Product Types and may not be commonly found on other Product
Types. For example, dialed number
display is found on all wireless phones and some cordless phones, but few
residential wireline phones. Carrying
over features from one Product Type to another may be a relatively easy way of
expanding the number of products that address the Guidelines.
See the Trace Center’s Reference Design, which describes a set of access features that is designed to cover every Guideline.
Headset or headset jack (usually with audio cutoff).
Tones indicating functions or status.
Buffer dialing (entering digits, then activating a dial command).
Illuminated or high-contrast controls.
Illuminated or high-contrast display.
On-screen operation and activity display.
Keys identifiable by touch (nib, shape, raised letters, etc.).
Stable and operable when placed on flat surface.
Simplified controls (compared to other Models).
Amplification
Composable signal tones
Zoom display. (A zoom display allows users to change the size of the characters. For example, 4 lines of text can become 2 lines with characters twice as high.)
Speech synthesis announcement of functions, status.
Automatic redial (product keeps redialing until a connection is made).
User can dial 911 without dialing ‘9’ first (on PBX).
Infrared or radio frequency port.
Transfer number from Caller ID into speed dial.