Self-Service Kiosks Need to Serve Everyone, with Juan Perez of ADUSA, Inc.

 

On today’s MarketScale Retail podcast, we welcome Juan Perez, CEO of ADUSA Inc., to analyze what effective ADA compliance looks like and why businesses should take steps to make their hardware and software compliant sooner than later. Part of what keeps businesses from becoming compliant immediately, Perez explains, is due to confusing or vague laws that only apply to government agencies, contractors, or people doing businesses with those agencies.

Perez said that the “wait and see” approach won’t work; he believes “that’s not a proactive enough approach and that could have some consequences down the line.”

Consequences are already starting to pop up, as restaurants that provide self-service kiosks are already beginning to face litigation, like a case recently where a visually impaired person was unable to order due to an audio port being blocked; an unfortunate result when you consider how easy of a fix it is.

“Effective ADA compliance or accessibility is only achieved through both a marriage of both hardware and software,” Perez said. “There are certain standards already out in place that can be used so you can modify hardware with certain peripherals, and you can modify software to adhere to certain standards that would make the self-service kiosk accessible to a wide range of disabilities.”

He recommends that all existing restaurants with self-service kiosks add a tactile navigation bar with linear navigation for those who may have prosthetics, bright colored bounded box around the item that’s selected, say a hamburger, so that the person knows where they’ve landed on the screen if they’re visually impaired, as well as audio jacks so that a visually impaired person can plug in a headset. He points out that some kiosks have added a blue wheelchair button, which moves the text and graphics lower to the ground for easier reach.

The US Access Board is looking at new litigation, and these laws may soon change again. Until then, Perez said these fixes are relatively cost-effective, especially when working with companies and products like EZ Access, developed at the University of Wisconsin. These technology solutions are giving restaurants and retailers less and less of an excuse to not comply with these laws.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Retail Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @RetailMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

blue collar
Building Efficient and Engaged Blue-Collar Workforces Begins with Leadership Rooted in Personal Development
November 20, 2024

According to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, over 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled by 2030 due to a lack of skilled talent. This workforce shortage reveals a critical gap in leadership within blue-collar industries. Without strong leadership to develop teams and foster growth, businesses face inefficiencies, low morale, and…

Read More
Paying it Forward: Empowering Career Migration Journeys | Sinead Carbery and Gillian Williams | EP05
Paying it Forward: Empowering Career Migration Journeys
November 20, 2024

On the latest episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims sits down with Sinead Carberry, President of International Staffing Solutions, and Gillian Williams, MSN, BS, RN, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, both from AMN Healthcare. The episode delves into the complexities of global career mobility for healthcare professionals, with…

Read More
Healthcare access
Improving Healthcare Access Through Nontraditional Benefits and Discount Plans
November 19, 2024

Healthcare costs are rising steadily, while insurance benefits struggle to offer sufficient coverage, driving demand for practical solutions like nontraditional benefits and discount plans. As premiums rise and coverage limits remain stagnant, many individuals and employers seek alternative ways to manage costs and improve healthcare access. With chronic conditions on the rise, the stakes…

Read More
CSR with Kelem Butts
Leading the Change in Corporate Social Responsibility with Kelem Butts: Tackling Health & Educational Challenges in a Disrupted World
November 19, 2024

In an era where corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies are rapidly evolving, adapting to new challenges is paramount. As digital transformation accelerates societal shifts, organizations like United Way of Metropolitan Dallas are at the forefront of addressing critical issues, from education to economic mobility. This episode of DisruptED dives into the dynamic world of…

Read More