Where are we with ADA?
ADA Laws Under New Administration — After years of working on revised ADA guidelines, the new Administration has decided to Withdraw the new regulations. Hard to be 100% that existing Title II regs published last year mandating conformance to WCAG will continue to exist. The odds of positive standards enforcement by the current Department of Justice are unlikely at best in any case.
Very disappointing. The NPRM probably sat in the OPM office for 6 months, not being acted on.
What About Europe?
- EN 301-549 is in final stage of comments. March 6th deadline
- Here are the relevant files
- Current draft — ETSI_EN_301_549_- 2.1.2 — V 4.1.1c -Working_Draft
- Prior document — EN 301 549 V1.1.1
- Demo tool xls — contact [email protected] for this or get it from github
- Based on my review of EN 301 549 V1.1.1 (2014-02), there do not appear to be any specific differences or exceptions mentioned for kiosks or ICT terminals like point-of-sale (POS) systems. The accessibility requirements in this standard apply broadly to ICT products and services.
However, a few relevant points to note:
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The standard does include requirements related to physical access to ICT (Section 8.3), which would be applicable to kiosks and POS terminals. This covers aspects like clear floor space, reach ranges, and visibility.
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There are requirements for operable parts (Section 8.4) that would apply to physical controls on kiosks/POS systems.
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The standard has provisions for closed functionality (Section 5.1) which may be relevant for some kiosk-type systems with limited user interface options.
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Requirements for displays, user controls, and software accessibility would generally apply to kiosk/POS interfaces as well.
While not explicitly differentiated, kiosks and POS terminals would need to meet the applicable accessibility requirements outlined in this standard like other ICT products. The specific requirements that apply may depend on the exact functionality and features of the kiosk/POS system.
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It was produced by ETSI Technical Committee Human Factors (HF) and the eAccessibility Joint Working Group (JWG) of CEN/CENELEC/ETSI.
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It was prepared in response to Phase 2 of Mandate M 376 from the European Commission to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI.
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It is a European Standard (EN) that sets out functional accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.
- And then there is EAA. EAA Regulation Timelines – Compliance Matters! – Kiosk Industry
- Most of us are waiting to see how Pin On Glass resolves, if it does. Touchscreen Payment and “PIN On Glass” POG — Touchy Subject…
Send your comments to Craig Keefner ([email protected])
Here are some points to consider:
- kiosk manufacturers now provide standard models with accessibility
- Assistive technology both hardware and software has come down in cost
- Serving existing customers and growing new customers is more important than ever
- In their past term the current Administration halted any and all regulations
Possible Action Plans
- The industry agreeing on a standard set of testing parameters using personas is the most significant step that could be taken. Even more remarkable than regulations and potential enforcement.
So What Next For ADA?
- Current status of ADA regulations:
The withdrawal of this specific rule (RIN 3014-AA44) does not affect the overall status of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or its existing regulations. The ADA remains in full effect, including Title II, which covers state and local government services. - Title II revocation:
No indication existing Title II regulations will be revoked. The withdrawal of these specific guidelines for self-service transaction machines does not impact the broader scope of Title II or other ADA provisions. - ETSI and European leadership:
While the U.S. has withdrawn this particular set of guidelines, it’s important to note that accessibility standards continue to evolve globally. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and other European bodies may continue developing and refining their accessibility standards. However, without additional information, it’s impossible to definitively state whether they will “step up to lead” in this area.
It’s worth noting that:
- The withdrawal of these guidelines doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of progress in accessibility standards. It could indicate a reassessment or potential redirection of efforts.
- Accessibility remains a crucial concern globally, and various organizations and governments continue to work on improving standards and regulations.
- The ADA and its existing regulations still provide a framework for accessibility in the United States, even without these specific guidelines for self-service transaction machines.
To get a more comprehensive understanding of the current state and future direction of accessibility regulations, it would be advisable to monitor announcements from the U.S. Access Board, the Department of Justice, and relevant international bodies like ETSI.
More Links
- ADA ABA Guidelines for Terminals in Restaurants Hotels
- EAA Regulation Timelines – Compliance Matters! – Kiosk Industry
- EAA and Recent WCAG related Laws
- European Accessibility EAA Guidelines & Storm Interface
- Fact Sheet 4. Tax Incentives for Improving Accessibility – ADA.gov
- ADA Checklist 2022-March – Kiosk Manufacturer Association
- Wall Mount ADA Guidelines – Kiosks and Digital Signs
- Canada ADA Standards _ Public Comments Sought – Kiosk Industry