ISO/IEC TR 29194, “Information Technology – Biometrics – Guide on designing accessible and inclusive biometric systems,” has just been released. This new Technical Report is a companion to ISO/IEC 24714-1 General Guidance document. It reviews biometrics in relationship to the limitations of potential target populations. Since biometric identification systems are intended to be used effectively and with minimum discomfort, potential exceptions need to be considered.
Thus, ISO/IEC TR 29194 sets up a taxonomy to help designers of biometric systems identify and account for human limitations. These include the following areas:
- (Inability to) Perceive visual information
- (Inability to) Perceive auditory information
- (Inability to) Perform motor actions
- (Inability to) Present physiological attribute
- (Inability to) Apply instructions due to mental impairment
- (Inability to) Follow guidance due to cultural discrepancies
For each of these issues, the report provides examples or definitions for better understanding. Then each is given a recommendation and, in some cases, additional resources. This means that for the subject of inability to perceive visual information, for example, there are specific recommendations regarding terminal/scanning requirements for use of the finger, iris, signature and so on. This means a better design to serve that segment of the population with some degree of visual impairment.
You’ll also find the Annex A to be of great assistance. It reviews and details the various types of impairments that can be found within the population in general. This will help you define potential limitations. And the report closes with a 9-item bibliography for further clarification.
Now you’ll want to get a copy of the new ISO/IEC TR 29194. Be sure that your source is an authorized distributor like Document Center Inc. You can get a copy in either paper format or for pdf download at our webstore, www.document-center.com. Here’s a link directly to the order page for ISO/IEC TR 29194. Want multi-use access? Contact our staff for more information. They can be reached by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’ve been selling standards since 1982, so make us your Standards Experts!
