Making Kiosks In Stores And Public Buildings More Accessible

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the increasingly digital landscape of fast food ordering, highlighting the shift towards kiosk systems in places like McDonald’s and the broader implications for accessibility. They discuss how these self-service kiosks, resembling large iPads, are becoming the norm for ordering and paying, posing challenges for visually impaired customers due to their lack of accessibility features.

Thankfully, there’s a promising solution with the introduction of JAWS for kiosks, a version of the popular screen reading software tailored for self-service terminals. Matt Ater from Vispero shares insights into how JAWS for kiosks is being developed and deployed to make these digital touchpoints accessible to blind and visually impaired users. This initiative, led by Vispero’s TPG Interactive division in partnership with RNIB in the UK, aims to equip kiosks with screen reading capabilities compatible with both Windows and Android platforms. Ater elaborates on the potential for JAWS for kiosks to transform a wide array of digital interfaces beyond fast food ordering systems, including payment devices at restaurants, in-flight entertainment, and even household appliances, into accessible tools for the visually impaired.

Steven and Shaun reflect on the significance of making everyday devices accessible, emphasizing how technology like JAWS for kiosks could have a profound impact on the independence and daily experiences of blind and visually impaired individuals.

Transcript: https://doubletaponair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/132-Kiosks.txt