Allow operation without the remote control

Rationale

Remote controls can easily become temporarily lost or broken, requiring an alternative way of operating the equipment that can be managed by all users, including those with physical or sensory impairments. The design of the controls on the equipment itself should therefore receive the same attention as the design of the remote control. Making the two sets of controls similar, for example by using common labels for corresponding functions, will help someone who has lost or broken their remote control to operate the equipment from its front panel instead. The design of the controls on the equipment should therefore follow some of the same principles as the design of the remote control, such as tactile, audible and visual feedback when a button is pressed.

Directions and techniques

Provide the basic controls on the equipment itself

At a minimum, the equipment’s basic operations should be available via controls on the front panel.

Use the same labelling as used on the remote control

Graphics and text labels on the equipment should match those on the remote control. As far as possible, shapes, groupings and layout should also match the remote control.

Follow the same ease of use guidelines as for remote controls

Apply the ease of use guidelines in the remote controls section to the buttons on the equipment’s front panel, where applicable. These include making buttons easy to press independently, providing feedback on button presses and enabling buttons to be identified by touch but without activating them.