Overview
ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025, "Information technology - Virtual keyboards user interfaces - Part 3: Virtual keyboards interactions," is an international guideline for designing accessible virtual keyboards and their interaction modes. The standard focuses on the assistive technologies and functional behaviours that should be supported by virtual (on‑screen, audio, tactile, projected, etc.) keyboards, and it clarifies which interaction modes and feedback mechanisms enable inclusive text input. Note: the document does not apply to physical keyboards with real or adaptable keys.
Key topics
- Interaction modes: defines and describes multiple input modes such as automatic scanning (single‑switch), manual scanning, fine direct pointing, low‑precision direct pointing, low‑precision gestural pointing, thumb mode, written mode, pictographic (symbolic) keyboards, list keyboards and navigation keys mode.
- Assistive technologies binding: guidance on how assistive technologies (speech input, switches, alternative pointing devices) can be integrated with virtual keyboards.
- Feedback and signifiers: requirements for visual focus and audio focus as selection feedback, and validation feedback specific to each interaction mode.
- Scanning methods and parameters: coverage of automatic and manual scanning methods, including scanning speed, delays, re‑scan and skip‑scan approaches (as described in the standard).
- Context‑specific guidance: visual and auditory feedback considerations for each interaction mode to support users with motor, visual, cognitive or hearing impairments.
- Terms and conformance: definitions (on‑screen keyboard, cursor, pointer, navigation key) and a conformance clause to help implementers claim adherence.
Applications
ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025 is practical for any context where virtual keyboards are deployed:
- Mobile phones and tablets (on‑screen keyboards)
- Public kiosks, TVs and large displays
- Assistive systems: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), speech‑assisted input and switch‑based input systems
- Projected or tactile virtual keyboards and specialised input surfaces
The standard helps ensure virtual keyboards are usable in diverse scenarios (walking, driving, multilingual input, large‑screen kiosks) and by users with varied accessibility needs.
Who should use it
- UI/UX designers and accessibility specialists
- Mobile and embedded device manufacturers
- Software developers of input methods and virtual keyboards
- Assistive technology integrators and rehabilitation technology providers
- Standards and compliance teams
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025, virtual keyboards interactions, accessible virtual keyboards, assistive technologies, automatic scanning, audio focus, visual focus, on-screen keyboard.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Virtual keyboards user interfaces — Part 3: Virtual keyboards interactions
