Assistive Technology in the Transport Sector Peter Jarvis Senior Executive Vice President peterj@storm-interface.com Robin Spinks Senior Strategy Manager at RNIB Solutions Robin.Spinks@rnib.org.uk
So what’s the problem? Provision of customer services via touch-screen terminals creates significant disadvantages for those with disabilities. Access to information and services is denied to those who are unable to see, read or physically interact with content presented via a visual display screen. “ The most common disability in the world today is an inability to read. This disability may be caused by physiological, cognitive, developmental, educational or cultural reasons” . Peter Jarvis .
A changing landscape. In the USA access to information and services for disabled military veterans and seniors has become a visible indicator of patriotic pride and national unity. Something of which politicians, law makers and corporate leaders are now very much aware. Transit through a passenger terminal has been described as an embarrassing and sometimes humiliating experience by those with disabilities. It frequently requires intervention and assistance from travelling companions, staff or other members of the travelling public. It denies them their independence. In a smartphone carrying, social media aware/active population there will be more consumer pressure, more mandated requirements and more international cooperation to achieve global improvements in accessibility.
A changing landscape. “ Apple is founded on giving people power to create things, to do things that they couldn't do without those tools. And we've always viewed accessibility as a human right. And so, just like human rights are for everyone, we want our products to be accessible for everyone. And so it's a basic core value of Apple. We don't make products for a particular group of people. We make products for everybody “ . “ We feel very strongly that everyone deserves an equal opportunity and equal access. So we don't look at this thing from a return on investment point of view -- I've been asked that before. The answer is no, I've never looked at that. We don't care about that “. Tim Cooke Apple CEO May 2017
New regulations and public expectations UK Equality Act 2010 Europe EN 301-549 mandates a comprehensive set of accessibility requirements for public procurement of ICT products and services in the EU. This mandate is now proposed as the basis for an internationally adopted standard, North Americans with Disabilities Act 2010. Design for Accessibility. America US Department of Transport: Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) became effective during 2010 with implementation required to commence by Dec 2016. US Rehabilitation Act: Section 503 [Federal government contractors]. Section 504 [Rights in education, employment and other settings]. Section 508 [Requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured or used by the Federal Government]. FCC: 21 st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), requiring communications services and products to be accessible to people with disabilities. Implemented December 2016. Other United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Territories W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for international standards.
Amendments to ACAA ( Air Carrier Access Act ) DOT implementation of the Rehabilitation Act. Rule effective December 12 th 2013 ❑ Air carriers, and US airports are to ensure automated kiosks meet Standards for Accessible Design ❑ As from December 12th 2016 new kiosk installations must be compliant ❑ Only ‘accessible’ kiosks can be installed until 25% of total kiosk population is compliant ❑ 25% of kiosk population must be compliant by December 12th 2022 ❑ Applies to owned, jointly owned, leased, shared use or controlled kiosks at airports with 10,000 or more embarkations per year.
Consequences of non-compliance In his article ‘The next wave – ADA Lawsuits against touchscreen POS devices’, attorney Richard Hunt of Hunt Huey PLLC states: “Touchscreen point -of-sale devices are ubiquitous, and the next wave of ADA lawsuits will undoubtedly be against businesses that use them. “
Consequences of non-compliance The excerpts below were taken from articles written by Gregory F. Hurley & Michael Chilleen, attorneys at Sheppard Mullin law firm. • ‘There has been a surge in Americans with Disability Act (ADA) class actions filed against businesses that use kiosk type devices.’ • ‘Until the legal landscape becomes more clear, it would be prudent for businesses to assess the accessibility of their kiosks and to consider options that are accessible and independently useable by individuals with a variety of disabilities.’ • ‘The availability of hefty damages in many states increases the potential exposure businesses face… Potential liability can be overwhelming when this type of lawsuit is brought as class actions.’ • ‘… general provisions [of the ADA] include not only clear space and reach range standards, but the requirement of “effective communication” with the blind and deaf.’ • ‘Although self -service kiosks can benefit both customers and businesses, they also create significant lawsuit exposure.’
What makes a kiosk compliant ? Many requirements, but one is particularly challenging: Speech output enabled . The requirement reads:- “ Automated airport kiosks must provide an option for speech output. Operating instructions and orientation, visible transaction prompts, user input verification, error messages, and all other visual information for full use must be accessible to and independently usable by individuals with vision impairments. Speech output must be delivered through a mechanism that is readily available to all users, including but not limited to, an industry standard connector or a telephone handset. Speech output must be recorded, or digitized human, or synthesized”….. Continues .
How do we achieve Speech Output ? A sound card or sound processor will be required A 3.5mm jack plug socket for connection of a headset, handset, or an implanted device will be required A compliant ‘tactile interface’ featuring menu navigation, option select and volume control features. Must include ‘tactilely discernible’ controls .
How do we achieve Speech Output ? Major OS now include embedded accessibility features including text to speech (TTS) and real time translation utilities. Windows, iOS. Andoid, Linux. Audible Image and screen description technology becoming available.(e.g. Narrator). Non-embedded text to speech (TTS) utilities are an option. (e.g. JAWS). Application software will need adaptation / redesign to include audio tags. RNIB can advise regarding adaptation / design of applications to support audible content navigation.
What is a compliant ‘tactile interface’ ? Audio-Nav ™, Nav- Pad ™ and Nav - Bar™. Accessible tactile interface products. Designed and manufactured by Storm Interface for use with audible menu navigation systems. ❑ System navigation keypads with an integrated VOUSB sound processor ❑ Integral USB encoder. Enumerates as a composite Human Interface Device and Advanced Audio Device ❑ Illuminated 3.5mm jack plug socket for connection of a headset, handset or cochlea implant ❑ Sealed and toughened for use in exposed locations and to survive regular sanitation procedures
Speech output also mandated under 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Section 707 Automatic Teller Machines and Fare Machines
RNIB Business Collaboration The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the leading organisation in the UK representing 2 million blind and low vision persons. The agency is regularly consulted on the needs of the blind community by government, business and many international bodies. RNIB Solutions offers a range of services to the business community including technical assessment, consultancy, training and user testing. RNIB is also a lead player in the World Blind Union, a global umbrella agency representing 191 national blindness agencies. RNIB works in partnership with other agencies to bring about a world where vision loss is no longer a barrier to inclusion in society. RNIB work with businesses such as Storm Interface as a consultant and critical friend facilitating the development of more inclusive hardware, software and services. RNIB also offer an accreditation which businesses can work towards as a recognised mark of excellence in inclusive design. www.rnib.org.uk
White-paper and copy of this presentation can be downloaded at:- www.storm-interface.com http://storm-interface.com/storm-rnib-paper.pdf http://assistivetechnology.tech/storm-rnib-paper.pdf
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