ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025

Information technology - Virtual keyboards user interfaces - Part 3: Virtual keyboards interactions

This document provides guidelines on assistive technologies and functionalities that are to be included in accessible virtual keyboards. This document underlines which kinds of interaction modes can be embedded, which kinds of assistive technologies can be easily bound to virtual keyboards, and which kinds of functionalities are to be taken into account within virtual keyboards. This document does not apply to physical keyboards that use real physical keys or adaptable keys, which can be customized to user needs, for example with LCD display.

Technologies de l'information — Interface utilisateur des claviers virtuels — Partie 3: Modes d'interactions des claviers virtuels

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Dec-2025
• ICS: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 - User interfaces
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 - User interfaces
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 17-Dec-2025
• Due Date: 04-Apr-2026
• Completion Date: 17-Dec-2025

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

• ISO/IEC 9995-1 - Keyboard layouts: general principles
• ISO/IEC 9995-9 - Keyboard layouts: multilingual and multiscript input

Keywords: ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025, virtual keyboards interactions, accessible virtual keyboards, assistive technologies, automatic scanning, audio focus, visual focus, on-screen keyboard.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO/IEC 22121-3
First edition
Information technology — Virtual
2025-12
keyboards user interfaces —
Part 3:
Virtual keyboards interactions
Technologies de l'information — Interface utilisateur des claviers
virtuels —
Partie 3: Modes d'interactions des claviers virtuels
Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Published in Switzerland
© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conformance . 4
5 Interaction modes. 4
5.1 User diversity and interaction modes .4
5.2 Automatic scanning (single switch) for visual virtual keyboards .4
5.2.1 General .4
5.2.2 Generic rules for automatic scanning .5
5.2.3 Scanning methods .5
5.2.4 Scanning speed and delays.6
5.2.5 Re-scan and skip-scan methods .6
5.2.6 Visual feedback context-specific to automatic scanning .6
5.2.7 Audio feedback context-specific to automatic scanning .6
5.3 Manual scanning for audio and visual virtual keyboards .7
5.3.1 General .7
5.3.2 Generic rules for manual scanning .7
5.3.3 Scanning methods .7
5.3.4 Visual feedback and signifiers context-specific to manual scanning .7
5.3.5 Audio feedback and signifiers context-specific to manual scanning .7
5.4 Fine direct pointing mode with visual control .8
5.5 Low precision direct pointing mode, with visual and audio control .8
5.5.1 General .8
5.5.2 Selection and validation . . .8
5.5.3 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to low precision direct pointing
mode .9
5.5.4 Auditory signifiers and feedback context-specific to low precision direct
pointing mode .9
5.6 Low precision gestural pointing mode, with visual and audio control .9
5.6.1 General .9
5.6.2 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to low precision gestural
pointing mode .10
5.6.3 Audio signifiers and feedback context-specific to low precision gestural
pointing mode .10
5.7 Thumb mode with visual and audio control .10
5.7.1 General .10
5.7.2 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to thumb mode .10
5.7.3 Auditory signifiers and feedback context-specific to thumb mode .10
5.8 Written mode with visual and audio control .11
5.8.1 General .11
5.8.2 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to written mode .11
5.8.3 Auditory signifiers and feedback context-specific to written mode .11
5.9 Pictographic keyboards (symbolic) . 12
5.9.1 General . 12
5.9.2 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to pictographic keyboards . 12
5.9.3 Auditory signifiers and feedback context-specific to pictographic keyboards . 12
5.10 List keyboard . 12
5.10.1 General . 12
5.10.2 Visual signifiers and feedback context-specific to list keyboards . 13
5.10.3 Auditory signifiers and feedback context-specific to list keyboards . 13
5.11 Navigation keys mode .14

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
iii
5.12 Assistive technologies conformance .14
Bibliography .16

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity.
ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/
IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).
ISO and IEC draw attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the
use of (a) patent(s). ISO and IEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any
claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO and IEC had not
received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents and https://patents.iec.ch. ISO and IEC shall not be held
responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
In the IEC, see www.iec.ch/understanding-standards.
This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 35, User interfaces.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 22121 series can be found on the ISO and IEC websites.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards
body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html and
www.iec.ch/national-committees.

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
v
Introduction
The use of virtual keyboards is becoming a widespread means of input. Due to their virtual nature, they
offer unlimited possibilities to interact through different ways. This can potentially generate inconvenience
on the user side because from one device to another, and even in the same device, users can be faced with
different practices. However, virtual keyboards are also an opportunity for users with disabilities to get a
keyboard adapted for their specific needs. There is also the opportunity for all users to use a keyboard that
is adapted to be more efficient for a particular application or environment.
A virtual keyboard can be adapted to a specific user (e.g. with visual, motor, cognitive, tactile or hearing
constraints), a specific technical context (no physical keyboard available, on a large or a tiny tactile device
as a phone, or a large one as a kiosk, or on a TV, etc.), a specific task (e.g. editing big documents, or editing
occasionally a password) or a specific context of use (in a hurry, walking, driving, switching between several
languages, etc.).
This document provides guidelines for the design of specific keyboards dedicated to specific interaction
modes.
© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
vi
International Standard ISO/IEC 22121-3:2025(en)
Information technology — Virtual keyboards user
interfaces —
Part 3:
Virtual keyboards interactions
1 Scope
This document provides guidelines on assistive technologies and functionalities that are to be included in
accessible virtual keyboards. This document underlines which kinds of interaction modes can be embedded,
which kinds of assistive technologies can be easily bound to virtual keyboards, and which kinds of
functionalities are to be taken into account within virtual keyboards.
This document does not apply to physical keyboards that use real physical keys or adaptable keys, which can
be customized to user needs, for example with LCD display.
2 Normative references
ISO/IEC 9995-1, Information technology — Keyboard layouts for text and office systems — Part 1: General
principles governing keyboard layouts
ISO/IEC 9995-9, Information technology — Keyboard layouts for text and office systems — Part 9: Groups and
mechanisms for multilingual and multiscript input
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 9995-1, ISO/IEC 9995-9 and
the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
on-screen keyboard
virtual keyboard (3.3) displayed on any type of screen
Note 1 to entry: On-screen keyboards are one specific type of virtual keyboards, probably the most common, that use
a screen to display a visual keyboard.
Note 2 to entry: This type of virtual keyboard can be used on personal computer screens, on feature phones and
tablets, mobile phones and tablets, TVs, kiosks and whiteboards.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 22121-2:2023, 3.1]
3.2
physical keyboard
mechanical or electronic input device using an arrangement of buttons or keys
Note 1 to entry: Some physical keyboards can be adaptable (for example, using LCD screens instead of keys with
printed symbols and characters).

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 22121-2:2023, 3.2]
3.3
virtual keyboard
software alternative to a physical keyboard (3.2)
EXAMPLE 1 Visual on-screen keyboards (3.1) are available on tactile devices.
EXAMPLE 2 Laser technology enables to display keyboards projected on a table or a whiteboard.
EXAMPLE 3 Speech keyboards used by speech-motor impaired users are vocalized and the user activates a switch
in order to select the adequate letter.
Note 1 to entry: It includes audio keyboards, visual on-screen keyboards, tactile keyboards, projected keyboards.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 22121-2:2023, 3.3, modified — Note to entry and Examples added]
3.4
navigation key
keys used to move within and between user interface objects
Note 1 to entry: The arrow keys, tab, space, enter, home, end, page up and page down are navigation keys.
3.5
focus
current selected row, group, column or individual item
3.6
visual focus
visual representation of the current selected row, group, column, or individual item
EXAMPLE 1 A visual focus can be a dark background under the row, group, column or individual item.
EXAMPLE 2 A visual focus can be a square around the row, group, column or individual item.
Note 1 to entry: A visual focus helps user to identify the selected element on the display area.
Note 2 to entry: A visual focus is visual feedback of the selection phase and is different from the visual feedback of the
validation phase as the second occurs after or throughout the activation phase.
3.7
audio focus
audio representation of the current selected row, group, column or individual item
EXAMPLE An audio focus of the “A” key is “A” vocalization when “A” key is selected.
Note 1 to entry: An audio focus helps user to identify the selected element in case of hard of seeing or complete lack of
vision.
Note 2 to entry: An audio focus can be combined with a visual focus (3.6).
Note 3 to entry: An audio focus is audio feedback of the selection phase and is different from the audio feedback of the
validation phase as the second occurs after or throughout the activation phase.
3.8
cursor
special indicator used for text manipulation to mark the active position
Note 1 to entry: ISO/IEC 10741-1 deals with cursor control.
Note 2 to entry: A cursor is not a pointer (3.9) icon, and both a cursor and a pointer icon can be available and visible at
the same time.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000, 4.1]

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
3.9
pointer
symbol on a display, which indicates input or selection position whose movement is controlled by an input
device
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.15]
3.10
scanning
successively moving focus (3.5) of the scan through items
3.11
scan cycle
completion of the focus (3.5) visiting every item currently available to be selected
3.12
scanning speed
length of time the focus (3.5) stays on an item before going to the next one
3.13
automatic scanning
scanning (3.10) that does not require user to control progress through items
3.14
scanning method
pattern the focus (3.5) of the scan takes while scanning (3.10) items
3.15
row/column
focus (3.5) scans through each row, and moves to scan each column when switch is triggered
3.16
row/group/column
focus (3.5) scans through each row, then through groups in selected row, and then columns within those
groups
Note 1 to entry: Group and row can be interchanged depending on the method. This scanning method is referred to as
group/row/column.
3.17
prediction
software-generated set of characters, i.e. word, phrase or text, based on user typing that can be selected as
next input for faster typing
3.18
word prediction
generation of a set of words, of which one can be used next
3.19
space key
key associated with character U+0020 SPACE
3.20
tap
single consecutive touch and release actions on a touchscreen device
Note 1 to entry: A tap typically finishes in shorter than 500 ms.
Note 2 to entry: The touch action can be performed by any part of the human body (usually, the fingers), a pen, stylus,
or any other stylus shaped object.
Note 3 to entry: ISO/IEC 14754:1999, 4.13 provides a definition for “tap”, but it is restricted to pen-based systems.

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
3.21
long tap
single consecutive touch, hold and release actions on a touchscreen device, typically lasting longer than
500 ms
Note 1 to entry: A long tap typically lasts longer than 500 ms.
3.22
keyboard layout
physical, visual, or functional arrangement of the keys on a keyboard
Note 1 to entry: Contrary to physical keyboards (3.2), on-screen keyboards (3.1) do not rely on mechanical keys and
printed/engraved labels, therefore, their layout can be changed conveniently by the user with the device’s user
interface.
Note 2 to entry: Some physical keyboards provide ways to change the visual arrangement of keys (for example physical
keyboards with LCD/LED displayed keys).
Note 3 to entry: An on-screen keyboard layout may give access to one or multiple groups of characters.
Note 4 to entry: Subsets of an on-screen keyboard layout are called groups.
Note 5 to entry: Keyboard layouts may be defined by national, regional or local standards.
4 Conformance
A virtual keyboard is in conformance with this document if it meets the requirements of Clause 5.
5 Interaction modes
5.1 User diversity and interaction modes
Virtual keyboards are a good opportunity for specific users because they offer a wide range of adapted
interaction modes. Such adapted virtual keyboards are named Augmentative and Assistive Communication
(AAC) tools.
They can be optimized for user facing motor constraints in a way to facilitate manipulation. They can be
optimized for user facing cognitive constraints in a way to facilitate understanding or to move away from
the inability to read. They can be optimized for user facing visual constraints in a way to emphasize either
key visualisation or audio enhancement. They can be optimized for user facing speech constraint in a way to
facilitate speech structuration and generation. As such users are restrained in their use, a virtual keyboard
can also give the ability to create, to store, and to organize frequently used phrases.
NOTE For more information about user diversity needs, see ISO/IEC 29138-1.
At the interface level, user diversity leads to interaction modes. One particular user needs to have a specific
interaction. Then several interaction modes shall be available through virtual keyboards. Following
interaction modes are useful for different kind of users. They can be used independently or combined.
Interaction modes are available through AAC tools or can be directly embedded into the used operating
system.
Virtual keyboards that claim to AAC tool should be compatible with following interaction mode.
5.2 Automatic scanning (single switch) for visual virtual keyboards
5.2.1 General
The provision of single-switch scanning enlarges access to information technology by accepting inputs from
people with severe physical limitations.

© ISO/IEC 2025 – All rights reserved
When every operation that can be done with a mouse on a computer has a keyboard equivalent, single-
switch users are theoretically able to use the system.
Scanning is a method that successively moves through items, and gives the user a chance to select the
current item, or group of items, that the focus is currently on. There are different ways to scan items such
as automatically or manually. Automatic scanning is the type used by most single-switch users. Automatic
scanning puts the control of the movement of the scanning into the system’s control. The system controls the
focus, and the user only has to trigger their input device when the focus reaches the item, or group of items,
they wish to select.
Scanning has many advantages that make it a good way to provide single-switch accessibility to keyboards.
— Scanning keyboards have the advantage of being visible and use recognition rather than recall. This is
less cognitive effort when compared to the systems using some kind of coding. Due to the reduction of
cognitive effort from other methods, scanning will help to reduce the onset of physical fatigue that the
user can experience.
— Scanning along with auditory presentation of the items scanned can provide auditory presentation of the
contents of the screen for when the screen cannot be visually read.
— Scanning also has the advantage of there being many different scanning patterns. Systems that implement
many of these allow users to choose a scanning pattern that suits their needs and preferences.
5.2.2 Generic rules for automatic scanning
An automatic scanning mode should be available as a function of the virtual keyboard.
The virtual keyboard shall be compatible with specific devices such as single-switch devices.
A visual focus and an audio focus shall be displayed.
In automatic scanning mode, the focus shall move in
...