Clarify the calculator and watch examples for 11.1.3.4 Orientation

Currently

In v19 (uploaded 2025-09-21):

11.1.3.4          Orientation

Where ICT is, or includes, non-web software that provides a user interface,
the non-web software shall satisfy the WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.3.4 Orientation.

Note:      Non-web software that is only used on hardware that supports a single display orientation, or where it is an application that is run only on hardware that is physically fixed in one orientation (e.g. a building directory) is covered under the essential exception and therefore does not need to provide support for orientation changes.

Examples:       Calculators and watches would not be expected to support two orientations.  Nor would building directory software written to ONLY be used on tablet devices bolted to the wall, all in the same orientation, be expected to support two orientations.

Issue: "Calculators and watches" could mean calculator and watch apps (e.g., mobile apps), especially since this is in context of clause 11 Non-web software.

Issue: There should not be a blanket "essential exception" for apps that run on watches. Many physical watches do support orientation changes (inversion), and some might support portrait and landscape orientation.

(I'm not aware of any physical calculators that support orientation changes, but it's not impossible.)

Proposed

11.1.3.4          Orientation

Where ICT is, or includes, non-web software that provides a user interface,
the non-web software shall satisfy the WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.3.4 Orientation.

Note:      Non-web software that is only used on hardware that supports a single display orientation, or where it is an application that is run only on hardware that is physically fixed in one orientation (e.g. a building directory) is covered under the essential exception and therefore does not need to provide support for orientation changes.

Examples covered under the essential exception:

• The software for a typical handheld calculator
• An app that runs on watches that only support a single display orientation
• Building directory software written to ONLY be used on tablet devices bolted to the wall, all in the same orientation , be expected to support two orientations.