What does information kiosk accessibility mean?
Information Kiosk Accessibility are the features and design of a digital information kiosk which make them usable and understandable by many people including people with disabilities.
Firstly, an accessible digital information kiosk should be designed in a way that allows people with various types of disabilities such as visual, hearing, physical or cognitive, to access and use the kiosk’s features and services.
Features of Accessible Digital Information Kiosk
- Clear and easy-to-read fonts and text sizes for people with visual impairments
- Braille labels or tactile features for people with vision impairments
- Induction Hearing Loop for the hearing impaired that wear hearing aids
- Text to Voice Annunciator to read the information displayed on the screen
- Accessible heights and suitable reach ranges for people with mobility impairments
- User interface that is easy to navigate for use for people with cognitive impairments.
- Plus, adequate lighting for all
Overall, information kiosk accessibility means creating kiosks that can be used by as many people as possible regardless of their ability level. An accessible kiosk ensures that everyone has equal access to information and services. It helps promote inclusion and equal participation for all members of the community.
DDA Requirements in Australia
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, 1 in every 5 Australians have a disability. Therefore, many face barriers in everyday life including simple daily activities. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) promotes equal rights, opportunities, and access for people with disabilities and make disability discrimination unlawful.
The Act and Inclusive Digital Information Kiosks
The Act includes provisions that require public places and services, including information kiosks, to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Specifically, the DDA requires that Public Information Kiosks be designed and located in a way that allows people with disabilities to access and use them. This includes providing features such as tactile and audible interfaces, Braille labels, and clear visual displays. The Act also requires that information kiosks be in areas that are accessible to people with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps and adequate lighting.
In addition to the DDA, the Australian Human Rights Commission has also developed guidelines to provide detailed information on the design and functionality of information kiosks. Including recommendations for the placement of controls and the use of audio and visual cues. Such as hearing loops and voice-to-text technologies to ensure accessibility for people with hearing and sight impairments.
Hearing loops, also known as audio induction loops or assistive listening systems, are a type of assistive technology that allows people with hearing aids or cochlear implants to pick up sounds more clearly by amplifying the sound source and transmitting it directly to the listener’s hearing device.
Voice-to-text technologies, also known as speech-to-text technologies or captioning, are a type of assistive technology that converts spoken words into written text in real-time. This can be particularly useful for people with hearing disabilities who may struggle to understand spoken language.
Overall, the DDA and associated guidelines are intended that information kiosks are accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities, and that they do not discriminate against any particular group.
Where can Accessible Digital Information Kiosks be installed?
Accessible Information Kiosks are versatile. Ideally, installed in a wide variety of applications from public spaces to commercial environments. Some examples of Interactive Information Points include:
- Public Transportation: Information Kiosks for bus or train stations. Provide real time schedules, maps, and other transit related service messages for passengers.
- Retail: Installed in retailed environments to provide customers with store way finding information, production information and promotions.
- Tourism: Visitor Information Kiosks provide visitors with tourist information, wayfinding, points of interest and events occurring in the location.
- Healthcare: Installed in healthcare settings such as hospitals and clinics. They provide patients with wayfinding information, health resources and can even organise appointment scheduling.
- Hospitality: Wayfinding Kiosks installed at hotels and resorts. Provide guests with information about the amenities, local attractions, events and how to locate these services.
- Education: Digital information kiosks for schools and universities. Provide students with class schedules, campus maps and other academic resources.
- Government: Digital information kiosks for government buildings to provide constituents with information about services, resources, and events.
- Entertainment: Information kiosks for entertainment venues. Such as museums, art galleries, theatres, and amusement parks to provide guests information about exhibits, shows and attractions.
Overall, digital information kiosks can be used in any setting where there is a need to provide information to the public. Software displayed is customised for specific needs and requirements. Therefore, helping enhance the user experience by displaying convenient, relevant, and accessible information to all users.
Accessible Digital Information Kiosks that meet DDA Requirements designed and manufactured by an Australian Company.
Recently, installation of Outdoor Information Kiosks in public areas have become a focus. Providing information and connecting with visitors and the public by councils and businesses. Unfortunately, not all Outdoor Information Kiosks are created the same and most don’t have the inclusive factor.
That has all changed. Australian company Metromatics has designed, developed, tested and installed a range of Information Kiosks. Suitable for Indoor and Outdoor applications which meet DDA requirements under our brand name MetroSpec.
Our DDA Compliant, inclusive MetroSpec Information Kiosks deliver an LCD Display (Touch Screen or Non), with inbuilt induction audio loop and voice to text annunciator that is at a wheelchair friendly height.
We currently have three Accessibility Information Kiosks available:
- Outdoor Digital Information Point
- Digital Bus Stop Totem with inbuilt voice annunciator and hearing loop system
- Stand Alone Voice Annunciator and Audio Induction Loop which can turn any existing Information Kiosk into DDA Compliant piece of equipment (other than the height)
The Digital Bus Stop Totem installed in 2019. Into the Adelaide O-Bahn and busy bus interchanges and light rail platforms. This product is also ideal for an inclusive tourist information kiosk. With the addition of a capacitive touch screen for all those way finding and event information tasks for visitors.
Finally, Contact us to learn more.