互操作性涉及使用辅助技术（AT）来添加或增强信息技术（IT）系统现有组件的能力。AT和IT之间的互操作性最好通过为所有IT组件使用标准化的公共接口来实现。 ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011为设计和评估IT和AT之间的互操作性提供了基础。它形式化了硬件到硬件、硬件到软件和软件到软件连接的分层体系结构，这些连接长期以来一直隐含在ISO/IEC JTC 1的It定义中。它还认识到可访问性应用程序编程接口（accessibility API）在帮助实现这种互操作性方面所起的核心作用。 ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011确定了ISO/IEC 13066其他部分中进一步描述的各种API。这些API可以用作支持IT-AT互操作性的框架。 ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011没有定义或要求特定的技术、命令、API或硬件接口。它遵从其他现有标准，并支持在这些领域制定新标准。 它确定了各种常见的可访问性API，这些API将在ISO/IEC 13066的其他部分中进一步描述。

Interoperability involves the ability to use assistive technology (AT) to add to or augment existing components of information technology (IT) systems. Interoperability between AT and IT is best facilitated via the use of standardized, public interfaces for all IT components. ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011 provides a basis for designing and evaluating interoperability between IT and AT. It formalizes the layered architecture of hardware-to-hardware, hardware-to-software, and software-to-software connections that have long been implicit in the IT definitions of ISO/IEC JTC 1. It also recognizes the central role that accessibility application programming interfaces (accessibility APIs) play in aiding this interoperability. ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011 identifies a variety of APIs that are described further in other parts of ISO/IEC 13066. These APIs can be used as frameworks to support IT-AT interoperability. ISO/IEC 13066-1:2011 does not define or require specific technology, commands, APIs, or hardware interfaces. It defers to other existing standards and supports the development of new standards in these areas. It identifies a variety of common accessibility APIs that are described further in other parts of ISO/IEC 13066.