EarthSection 508 Compliance
Date: 11/26/2012
Name of Product:Google Earth Free, Pro, and Enterprise 7.x (referred to
herein as Google Earth
| Summary Table | ||
| Criteria |
Supporting Features |
Remarks |
| Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems | Applicable | Supports with exceptions |
| Section 1194.22 Web-based internet information and applications | Not Applicable | - |
| Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products | Not Applicable | - |
| Section 1194.24 Video and Multi-media Products | Not Applicable | - |
| Section 1194.25 Self-Contained, Closed Products | Not Applicable | - |
| Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers | Not Applicable | - |
| Section 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria | Applicable | Supports with exceptions |
| Section 1194.41 Information, Documentation, and Support | Applicable | Supports with exceptions |
| Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems | ||
| Criteria |
Supporting Features |
Remarks |
| (a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. | Supports |
Keyboard controls are available for most critical functions of Google Earth (see
Exhibit A) |
| (b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. | Supports | Google Earth does not interfere with or deactivate the accessibility features of the operating system. |
| (c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes. | Supports | The Tab key may be used to change focus among critical items in document panels and geographic content view window. When the Web Window is in view and docked, the Tab key follows linkable items on the Web page. |
| (d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. | Does not support | There is no role, state or identity information exposed for user interface elements. |
| (e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. | Supports | Google Earth bitmap images are consistently used to represent certain functions, such as the compass and navigation controls that enables zooming, tilting, and panning. |
| Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems (cont.) | ||
| Criteria |
Supporting Features |
Remarks |
| (f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. | Supports with exceptions | Text content and input caret location is displayed for text input controls, but the textual information is not programmatically exposed to assistive technology. |
| (g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. | Supports | Google Earth supports Windows® High Contrast mode. |
| (h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. | Supports | Google Earth has no core features that utilize animation. |
| (i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. | Supports | Color coding is not used as the sole means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response or distinguishing a visual element. |
| (j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. | Supports with exceptions | Google Earth provides 16 Bit High Color and 32 Bit True Color options, but there is no customization option for a range of contrast levels for interface colors. |
| (k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Supports | Google Earth has no flashing or blinking text, objects or other elements. |
| (l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. | Does not support | Google Earth forms do not expose information programmatically for use with screen readers. |
| Section 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria | ||
| Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks |
| (a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided. | Does not support | Google Earth does not expose information programmatically for use with screen readers. |
| (b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided. | Supports | Google Earth supports the use of screen magnifiers. |
| (c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided | Supports | Google Earth does not rely on sound to present information. |
| (d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. | Supports | Google Earth does not rely on audio to present information. |
| (e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided. | Supports | Google Earth does not require user speech. |
| (f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided. | Supports with exceptions | Google Earth contains some functionality requiring the use of the mouse (such as moving focus to the 3D viewer). |
| Section 1194.41 Information, documentation, and support. | ||
| Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks |
| (a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. | Supports | Google Help Centers provide electronic versions of all product support documentation. |
| (b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. | Supports | Google Help Centers provide information on accessibility features in the documentation. Electronic versions of all product support documentation are provided. |
| (c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end- users with disabilities. | Supports with exceptions | Google Help Centers are compatible with screen-reader technology. However, only electronic versions of all product support documentation are available. |
| Exhibit A - Application Level Keyboard Controls | ||
| Command | Windows Keystroke(s) | Result |
| File Menu | Alt + F | Opens the File menu. You can use the down and up arrows to select items once the menu is open. |
| Edit Menu | Alt + E | Opens the Edit menu. You can use the down and up arrows to select items once the menu is open. |
| View Menu | Alt + V | Opens the View menu. You can use the down and up arrows to select items once the menu is open. |
| Add Menu | Alt + A | Opens the Add menu. Use the down and up arrows to select items once this menu is open. |
| Tool Menu | Alt + T | Opens the Tool menu. Use the down and up arrows to select items once this menu is open. |
| Help Menu | Alt + H | Opens the Help menu. You can use the down and up arrows to select items once the menu is open. |
| Open File | CTRL + O | Produces the file open dialog box, allowing you to open all supported Google Earth file types. |
| Save Image | CTRL + Alt + S | Saves the current view as an image to your computer. |
| View in Google Maps | CTRL + Alt + M | Displays the current view in Google Maps |
| CTRL + P | Produces the print dialog box, allowing you to print the current view, placemark, folder contents or search results. | |
| Email View | CTRL + Alt + E | E-mails the current view either as a placemark or image file. |
| Copy | CTRL + C | Copies the current selection in the 'Places' listing. |
| Cut | CTRL + X | Cuts a placemark or other item from the listing in the 'Places' panel. Cuts an icon from the 3D viewer. Both icon or listing item must first be selected. You can use this feature to organize your places data. |
| Paste | Alt + V | Pastes a placemark or other item into the selected folder in the 'Places' panel. You can use this feature to organize your places data. |
| Find | Alt + F | Opens a Find field in the Places panel. Use this to find places that exist in the Places panel. Note that this is different than search for places on the earth. |
| Delete | Del | Deletes an item selected in the 'Places' panel. |
| Rename | CTRL + Alt + R | Enters edit mode for a selected item in the 'Places' panel, so you can change the name without bringing up the 'Edit Placemark' dialog box. |
| Zoom to selected placemark/item | Enter | Zooms into a selected folder, placemark, or other item in the 'Places' panel. |
| Full screen mode | F11 | Toggles between full screen and window view for the Google Earth application. |
| Show/Hide sidebar | CTRL + Alt + B | Displays or closes sidebar |
| Lat/Lon grid | Alt + L | Produces a latitude and longitude grid over the surface of the earth in the 3D viewer. |
| Play Tour | CTRL + Alt + P | Plays the tour mode for all selected items in the 'Places' panel. |
| New placemark | CTRL + Shift + P | Adds a new placemark to the current view. |
| New folder | CTRL + Shift + N | Produces the New Folder dialog box. |
| New image overlay | CTRL + Shift + O | Produces the New Image Overlay dialog box. |
| New model | CTRL + Shift + M | Produces the New Model dialog box |
| New path | CTRL + Shift + T | Produces the New Path dialog box. |
| New polygon | CTRL + Shift + G | Produces the New Polygon dialog box. |
| Change navigation mode to Trackball | CTRL + T | Switches navigation in the 3D viewer to Trackball mode. This can also be done by selecting the Trackball option from Tools >Options > Navigation |
| Exhibit A - 3D Viewer Navigation | ||
| Command | Windows Keystroke(s) | Result |
| Move left | Left arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move right | Right arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move up | Up arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move down | Down arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Rotate clockwise | Shift + left arrow | Rotates the view clockwise. The earth spins counter-clockwise. |
| Rotate counter-clockwise | Shift + right arrow | Rotates the view counter-clockwise. |
| Show/hide Overview window | CTRL + M | Displays or closes overview window. |
| Tilt up | Shift + left mouse button + drag down, Shift + down arrow | Tilts the viewer toward "horizon" view. |
| Tilt down | Shift + left mouse button + drag up, Shift + up arrow | Tilts the viewer toward "top-down" view. |
| Look | CTRL + left mouse button + drag | Perspective points in another direction, as if you are turning your head up, down, left or right. |
| Zoom in | Scroll wheel, + key, PgUp key | Zooms the viewer in. Tip: to use the 'Page Up' key, make sure 'Num Lock' on your keyboard is off. |
| Zoom out | Scroll wheel, - key (both keyboard and numpad), PgDn key | Zooms the viewer out. Tip: to use the 'Page Down' key, make sure 'Num Lock' on your keyboard is off. |
| Zoom + automatic tilt | Right mouse button + drag up or down | Zooms the viewer in and automatically tilts your view as you approach ground level. |
| Stop current motion | Spacebar | When the viewer is in motion, stops movement |
| Reset view to "north - up" | n | Rotates view so that view is 'n'orth-up. |
| Reset tilt to "top-down" view | u | Resets angle to view scene in "top-down" or "'u'p" mode. |
| Reset tilt and compass view to default | r | 'R'esets angle to view "top-down" and rotates to "north-up" view. Use this feature to orient the earth in the center of the viewer. |
| Exhibit A - Tour Controls | ||
| Command | Windows Keystroke(s) | Result |
| Play, Pause | Spacebar | Plays the tour or restarts tour after pausing. The 3D viewer must be in focus in order for this key to work. (Click in the 3D viewer to set focus if you are unsure.) |
| Rewind | Comma | Press this multiple times to increase rewind speed. |
| Slow | ALT + comma | Slows playback in whatever direction you're currently playing. Press this multiple times to continue to decrease the rate of speed. |
| Fast | ALT + period | Speeds playback in whatever direction you're currently playing. Press this multiple times to continue to increase the rate of speed. |
| Re-begin tour | <</td> | Returns to beginning of tour. |
| Go to end of tour | > | Goes to end of tour. |
| Exhibit A - Side Panel Controls | ||
| Command | Windows Keystroke(s) | Result |
| Select | Spacebar | Toggles the check mark of the highlighted item on or off, showing or hiding display of the item in the 3D viewer. |
| Next | Down arrow | Selects the next item in the list (either folder or placemark). |
| Previous | Up arrow | Selects the previous item in the list (either folder or placemark). |
| Open Folder | Right arrow | If the item selected is a folder, opens the folder to display contents. |
| Close Folder | Left arrow | If the item selected is a folder, closes it to hide contents from the list view. |
| Delete | Delete Key | Works only for items in 'Places' panel. Deletes item after confirmation dialog box is accepted. |
| Change overlay opacity | Scroll wheel | After you click the slider, this changes the transparency for an overlay selected in the 'Places' panel when the mouse pointer is positioned on the overlay opacity slider. Scroll DOWN to make the overlay image more opaque, scroll UP to make the overlay more transparent. |