McDonalds Kiosk Accessibility Jan2022 Update
McDonalds has taken the lead in testing and evaluating at large scale providing accessibility features for the blind. One of the improvements is by adding in a screen reader (JAWS Kiosk by Vispero) and coupling that with Storm Interface AudioNav assistive technology.
Providing accessibility to every user group has taken on an even more pronounced imperative with the recent legal suit and class action which the DOJ is pursuing against Quest Diagnostics. The probable outcome there is a nationwide retrofit of literally thousands of units. See our Legal News summary page.
National Federation of the Blind
Here is a video by the National Federation of the Blind’s Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access demonstrating new accessibility features on McDonald’s kiosk in June 2021.
Additional Information and Reading
For more information on the screen reader we recommend contacting Laura Miller ([email protected]). For the device side of the equation then Nicky Shaw at Storm Interface.
Kiosk Marketplace wrote up their recent Lunch And Learn which talked about the new McDonalds kiosk accessibility features.
Highlights
- Kelsey Hall, senior product manager, global digital accessibility, McDonald’s, and Matt Ater, vice president of business development and software engineering at Vispero, demonstrated how McDonald’s digital accessibility works.
- The demo used headphones. Note in the video above the NFB opts for public audio. Ambient noise can make it more difficult for a human to hear, or for a microphone with noise cancellation to discrimminate.
- Mentioned too is the kiosk also has Braille labels at any point of actionable contact, such as the scan area, the headphone insert, the receipt area and the payment pad.
- Asked about the possibility of offering voice recognition, Hall said voice recognition cannot replace the current solution. “Even if you have voice recognition options there are some limitations based on connectivity.”
- Here is a link to the writeup
Kiosk Industry Posts
- Inclusive Kiosks – McDonalds Kiosks Incorporating Vispero
- Accessible Kiosk Experience by Vispero
- Jaws Kiosk – Vispero Storm Collaborate on Accessible Kiosk Solution
- ADA JAWS Accessibility Software – Gold Sponsor – Vispero – Kiosk Consultant
- Kiosk Accessibility – McDonalds Kiosk Article on Wall Street Journal
- Kiosk Accessibility – McDonald’s Access for Blind and Low Vision
- Accessibility kiosk news — M-Enabling Summit Arlington in October
- Kiosk Assistive Technology – AudioNav & US Access Board Webinar
- Assistive Technology For Kiosks and more
- Ticketing ADA & POS ADA Panel Discussion Next Week with U.S. Access Board
- Kiosk Event SSTM – Self-Service Transaction Machine Discussions Hosted by U.S. Access Board
- JAWS Kiosk® awarded Judge’s Choice Award Improving Travel Experience
- ADA Kiosk 2021 Update — Kiosk Lawsuits — Reasons To Be Accessible