Accessibility

The WebSphere® MQ user interfaces do not use any special keys, but instead follow the Windows® user interface guidelines for accelerator keys on items such as context menus, dialogs, and dialog controls such as buttons. Access the accelerator keys in the usual way. See the Windows help for more information (look in the Windows help index for keyboard; for accessibility features look for Accessibility).

Special features for accessibility

Some of the user interfaces in WebSphere MQ are normally visual, but they behave differently when accessibility features are activated, as follows:
  • High Contrast Mode

    In this mode Launchpad, Prepare WebSphere MQ Wizard, and Postcard, all hide their background bitmaps and ensure that they use the system text colors so that they are easily visible and readable.

  • Screen Reader Mode

    When a screen reader is active, Prepare WebSphere MQ Wizard, Default Configuration, Postcard, and API Exerciser, simplify their appearance by hiding background bitmaps, raised effects, shadow boxes, and other effects that can otherwise confuse the screen reader.

    Additionally, API Exerciser, when the result of doing an API call is added to the list in the window, pops up a message box, so that the screen reader reads it to the user.

  • Explorer Object Status

    The Explorer component of WebSphere MQ uses icons to indicate the status of objects, such as queue managers. Screen readers cannot interpret these icons, so there is an option to show a textual description of the icon. To select this option, from within the Explorer click Window > Preferences > WebSphere MQ Explorer and select Show status of objects after object name.