The AODA has requirements for the procurement of self-service kiosks. However, the third review of the AODA recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country.
For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for the accessibility of self-service interactive devices. Future AODA standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make self-service interactive devices more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal standards for installing accessible self-service interactive devices.
Installing Accessible Self-service Interactive Devices
In an area with one (1) self-service interactive device, people should be able to approach it either forward or sideways. Conversely, in areas with multiple devices, at least one (1) device should have a forward approach. Likewise, at least one (1) device should have a sideways approach. Moreover, the standards list measurements of knee and toe clearance for forward approach, including:
- Width
- Height
- Depth
Furthermore, people should be able to reach, touch, and grasp all functions on a device interface. Installers should comply with requirements for reach distances in the federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. Installers should calculate these distances from the device’s shelf or leading edge. Similarly, any elements of a device that stick out from a wall should comply with the federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. Moreover, nothing above or below a device should stick out farther than forty millimeters (40 mm) past the device. The standards list a height range for this requirement.
In addition, a device attached to or sticking out from a wall should include a grab bar. However, the standards recommend two (2) grab bars to meet the needs of people approaching from either side. Furthermore, the standards list measurements for grab bars, including:
- Length
- Height
- Distance from the centre of the screen to the centre of the grab bar
Grab bars should also have good colour contrast with their surroundings. Finally, grab bars should comply with all relevant requirements in the federal standards for accessibility in the built environment.
If a device includes a shelf, it should have rounded edges and good colour contrast with its surroundings. In addition, the standards list measurements for shelves, including:
- Depth
- Height
- Distance that a shelf can stick out into a path
Other Compliance Requirements
Manuals for installing self-service interactive devices must require installers to place the devices in locations that comply with the federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. For example, locations should have accessible:
- Paths of travel:
- Floors
Lighting
Lighting should reduce shadows, and make important features of the environment visible, such as:
- Curbs
- Ramps and stairs
The standards list lighting levels for the area around a self-service interactive device, as well as for its interface panel. This lighting may be natural or artificial. However, natural light, such as sunlight, must not prevent people from seeing the screen of the device.
Moreover, lighting must not create glare or reflections. Likewise, lighting should not compromise colour contrast on the screen of a device. Similarly, signs with lighting should not block the view of the screen. In addition, the screen should be visible for people whether they are seated or standing.