Hardware
Self-service kiosk vendors give Kiosk Marketplace their views on the best ways to comply with the complex requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Photo: Adobe Stock
March 14, 2025 by Sandra Carpenter
Ever noticed how kiosks are popping up everywhere these days, making life a little easier? From checking in at the airport to ordering food, they’re super handy. But, here’s the thing: we need to make sure everyone can use them, no matter their abilities.
That’s where ADA compliance comes in. It might sound a bit technical, but it’s really about making technology accessible for everyone. So, let’s break down the key points of designing kiosks that are not only user-friendly but also inclusive, ensuring everyone gets the most out of these helpful tools.
Navigating the complexities of ADA compliance
«The aim of the ADA regulations pertaining to kiosks is to facilitate equal access and usage for individuals with physical disabilities, including those with mobility challenges, hearing, and vision impairments, parallel to those without such impairments.,» explains an Olea representative. While the ADA provides foundational requirements, practical application in kiosk design can be complex.
Kiosk integrators must stay abreast of the latest ADA standards and provide informed guidance to their clients. «Ultimately, making sure a business’s kiosks can accommodate all users isn’t just the law, it’s the right thing to do» says a representative fromthe Kiosk Group. «It’s clearly in a deployer’s best interest to take the steps necessary to ensure their kiosks are compliant with ADA regulations.»
Kiosk integrators have a constant responsibility to stay on top of ADA requirements and give the best guidance they can to their retail and other types of clients.
Recommendations
Key ADA considerations for kiosk design, based on the Federal Register’s ADA guidelines for self-service transaction machines and self-service kiosks:
- Reach ranges:
- «For usability, controls and keys must be within accessible reach ranges and screens or other displays must be viewable from a seated position.»
- Designers must carefully consider the placement of all interactive elements, including touchscreens, keypads, and card readers, to ensure they fall within these reach ranges.
- Clear floor space:
- «Clear floor or ground space is required so that people with disabilities, including those who use wheeled mobility aids, can approach and position at ATMs or fare machines in a forward or parallel direction.»
- The approach to the kiosk (forward or side) should be considered, and the space should be free of obstructions.
- Input methods:
- Touchscreens should be responsive and easy to use.
- Physical keypads, when used, must comply with ADA standards for tactile feedback, including raised dots on the «5» key and high-contrast markings.
- Alternative input methods, such as voice control or gesture recognition, can enhance accessibility.
- Visual accessibility:
- High-contrast displays are essential for users with visual impairments.
- Text size and readability should be prioritized.
- Audio output, including headphone jacks and adjustable volume, should be provided.
- Screen reader compatibility is increasingly important.
- Hearing accessibility:
- Providing headphone jacks is a must.
- Visual cues to accompany audio cues are very important.
- Software accessibility:
- Software should be designed with accessibility in mind, including keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility and adjustable font sizes.
- User interfaces should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
- Ergonomics:
- «Controls and operating mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.»
- Proper placement of peripherals and thoughtful design can significantly improve accessibility.
- Consider the needs of users with varying physical abilities.
- Section 508 and federal tech:
- While Section 508 primarily applies to federal government technology, its principles offer valuable guidance for all kiosk deployments.
- Section 508 emphasizes accessibility for individuals with disabilities in electronic and information technology.
- Testing and user feedback:
- Regular testing with users with disabilities is crucial to identify and address accessibility issues.
- Gathering user feedback can provide valuable insights for ongoing improvements.As Frank Olea of Olea Kiosks states, «In reality, ADA has to account for so much more than just people in wheelchairs.» Meaning that testing with a wide range of people is very important.
Design
«On our first few projects where we considered ADA compliance, we would often design our entire interface, and then retro-fit it to be ADA-compliant,» said Nicholas Yee, product manager of Toronto, Canada-based wayfinding technology firm Jibestream. «This led to a lot of unnecessary work, as we often had to redesign core functions from the ground up in order to meet the compliance levels.»
«Once our team became comfortable with the ADA standards, we made an effort to design all of our interfaces to be ADA-compliant from the very start,» Yee said. «We learned that compliant design is good design, as things such as interface height, color contrast and interface size all make the interface easier for everyone using the kiosk.»
Yee gave the following advice:
- Consider the height of interactive elements. «The first thing we consider when we design our interfaces is the height at which the interactive elements reside in the physical space. ADA requires that interface elements be placed between 15 inches and 48 inches from the ground. It’s important to know the physical height of the kiosk, so that the interface can be adjusted accordingly.»
- Use high contrast colors. «ADA has multiple recommendations for various elements to ensure color contrast. It suggests either light on dark, or dark on light elements. Jibestream follows this requirement by keeping a contrast level of 70 percent between the background and foreground for all interface elements in our user interfaces.»
- Size of text and interface elements. «Nobody wants to have to squint or lean in to read what’s on a kiosk, especially since not everyone using the kiosk will have 20/20 vision. If the user can’t easily select something in the interface, and instead has to ‘pixel hunt’ in order to press a button, this will often lead to them becoming very frustrated and walking away before completing their interaction with the kiosk.»
- Limit physical barriers. «ADA has several complex restrictions concerning the barriers that surround the physical space around the kiosk. To keep things simple and accessible for everybody, it’s best to limit the number of physical barriers that prevent users from reaching and viewing the kiosk screen.»
The business case for accessibility
Ultimately, investing in ADA-compliant kiosks isn’t just about meeting regulations; it’s a smart business move. By prioritizing accessibility, you’re opening your doors to a wider customer base, enhancing your brand’s reputation as inclusive and customer-focused and minimizing the risk of costly legal issues.
Think of it: a seamless experience for every customer translates to increased satisfaction and loyalty. By embracing accessible design from the start, gathering user feedback, and continuously improving, you’re not just creating a more equitable environment; you’re building a more profitable and sustainable business. As technology evolves, those businesses that champion inclusivity will undoubtedly thrive, creating a win-win for everyone.
About Sandra Carpenter
Sandra is the editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times. She has been working in editorial and research roles for over a decade and has experience in print, blog, social media and peer-reviewed publications.
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