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An Example of a Design
Which Meets Performance Specifications
(working document)

The functionality required can be achieved with a kiosk with a relatively small feature set, including:

  • Talking Fingertip technique (including
    speedlist and Touch and Hear)

Cost: $10-$25 for the switch, $13 for voice synthesis software license, $25-50 for license costs
  • Headphone jack with controllable volume

Cost: $5
  • ShowSounds/Caption feature

Cost: No manufacturing cost.
  • Descriptions of Graphic and Movie Material
Cost: No manufacturing cost.
  • Scanning technique
Cost: No manufacturing cost involved. Uses same switch as Talking Fingertip techniques.
  • Infrared Link
Cost: Already built into most multimedia computers
  • Accessible Kiosk Housing

Cost: Should be same basic manufacturing cost as nonaccessible version
  • Touchscreen operable by artificial objects (e.g., artificial hand, headstick, mouthstick)

Cost: the same as for other touchscreen technologies

Other recommended features include:

  • Handset (phone-like handset)
Cost: $50-100 for armored handset.
NOTE: Must be T-coil compatible
  • Privacy Features -- (turn off sound, turn off video)

Cost: $0
  • Height-adjustable or dual touchscreen

Cost: $200-1000

This is not the only set of strategies for achieving these goals -- just the most straightforward and effective we know of right now. A listing of other strategies is provided on Design Alternatives for Meeting Performance Specifications

Features of the Example Solution That Address Each of the Performance Requirements

This is a set of techniques which allow individuals with a wide range of disabilities to access and use touchscreen-based kiosks. It has been developed and tested with about 200 individuals with very low vision and blindness, and has worked very well. If implemented properly, it provides access to all of the information in the kiosk, including buttons, fields, hot lists, graphics, movies, etc. The technique also works with individuals who have reading problems for any one of many reasons, as well as those who cannot read at all. It also access by many individuals with physical tremor or coordination problems, even when they are quite severe.

For additional information, see the more extensive write-up titled "The Talking Fingertip Technique" in the Resource Information section of this document.

Headphone Jack

The headphone jack provides confidential access to the information on the kiosk by individuals who are blind. Combined with an optional feature (below) which turns off the screen, it allows complete confidential access and use of kiosks, ATMs, etc., even if there are people standing nearby trying to eavesdrop, auditorially or visually.

The headphone jack also allows individuals with hearing impairments to use earphones, audio jacks on their hearing aids, or inductive loops such as a "Silhouette" to tie their hearing aid more directly into the audio so that they can hear more clearly.

Wherever the headphone jack is used, the audio for the kiosk would be turned off to provide audio security and privacy.

ShowSounds/Caption Feature

To allow the kiosk to be used by individuals who are deaf as well as to be used in very noisy environments, a ShowSounds/Caption feature would be provided. Turning this feature on would cause all important sounds made by the kiosk to be represented visually. Where the sounds are speech, they would be represented as words which are either incorporated into the regular screen or shown as captions. Other sounds may be depicted as captions or they may be shown in some other appropriate visual format.

Descriptions of Graphic and Movie Material

Part of the Talking Fingertip implementation includes the provision of verbal descriptions for all important graphic or movie information. Access to this information is integrated directly into the Talking Fingertip (and infrared) access techniques. For access to this information via the infrared link (see below), verbal descriptions would be available in electronic text format.

Scanning Technique

In addition to the Talking Fingertip and the Infrared Link, a third technique can be added to facilitate access by individuals with physical disabilities. With the scanning technique, the individual items on the screen are individually highlighted (and optionally announced). When a desired item is reached, the individual can press a switch below the screen to select that item. Although this technique is considerably slower than the other two approaches, it does provide additional access options for individuals with physical disabilities.

There is no manufacturing cost to implement this technique. The hardware and the basic infrastructure for it already exist as a part of the Talking Fingertip techniques described above.

Infrared Link

The infrared link consists of an industry standard IrDA infrared link coupled to a Universal Disability Infrared Access Protocol. This protocol allows individuals to access and use the kiosk via the IrDA infrared link. All buttons and actions of the kiosk are controllable via the infrared link. Also, any information presented on the screen can be accessed via the IR link as well.

Once the Talking Fingertip is installed on a computer, adding this infrared access capability requires just a couple of hours of programming, since all of the information and structure are already in place.

The infrared link allows individuals to access and use the kiosk or ATM who are unable to reach and touch the standard screen. It also allows individuals who are unable to see the screen or hear any auditory output clearly enough (due to simultaneous visual and hearing difficulties) to access and use the kiosk using a separate assistive technology they would bring with them. This technique allows access by individuals with severe physical disabilities as well as individuals who have simultaneous visual and hearing disabilities or are deaf-blind by allowing them to use personal assistive technologies with the kiosk.

Almost all stationary and portable multimedia computers now include the IrDA link as a standard part of the computer. Support for this link is also built directly into Windows 95. There should be little or no hardware cost associated with this feature. The Universal Disability Infrared Access Protocol is a public domain protocol being developed by a consortium of researchers and consumers in the disability area working in conjunction with members of the IrDA Consortium. There are no costs associated with use of this public domain protocol, a version of which should be finalized this year.

Accessible Kiosk Housing

In order for the kiosk to be used by individuals in wheelchairs, individuals who are shorter, and individuals who have difficulty reaching or standing without support, the kiosk housing must be properly designed. A number of designs have been developed by different groups to address these issues, as well as to preserve access by individuals who are taller. A collection of these designs is being made and will be posted at a later time. People aware of particularly good designs are encouraged to send an e-mail to kiosk@trace.wisc.edu, or post it to our listserv at kiosk-l@trace.wisc.edu. (For instructions on how to subscribe to this or the other list-based discussion groups maintained at the Trace Center, click here.)

The cost to create an accessible kiosk is not generally greater than to design an inaccessible kiosk.

Touchscreen Operable by Artificial Objects

To allow individuals who have artificial hands or arms or prosthetic hooks or who use headsticks or mouthsticks to use the screen it is important that the touchscreen not require that it be touched by a human body. Many capacitive screens are not operable except by direct touch by a fairly large person. (In one case, a five year old child was unable to operate the kiosk unless a larger adult touched the child's skin or held on to his ear.)

Pressure sensitive as well as optical technologies can be used, although the Talking Fingertip's requirement for continuous finger tracking eliminates some optical detection schemes which do not have sufficient resolution. Other technologies, including driven capacitance techniques, however, may also work. Testing of these techniques is being proposed and results will be posted as they become available.

Other Recommended Features

Handset

An armored pay phone-like handset provides a convenient, private way for individuals who are blind to listen to the voice output from the kiosk/ATM. It can also provide a convenient mechanism for individuals who are deaf and using T-coils in their hearing aid to link directly in.

Height-Adjustable or Dual Touchscreen

A problem exists in trying to accommodate both individuals who are very short and individuals who are very tall. Three strategies for addressing this include:

Costs vary. Specific implementations are being collected and will be posted. Again, individuals and companies are encouraged to submit designs via e-mail to kiosk@trace.wisc.edu or posting to our listserv at kiosk-l@trace.wisc.edu.


Features of the Example Solution That Address Each of the Performance Requirements

Below is the list of performance requirements as presented in "Objective of KioskBook-TC96" with the feature(s) of this example solution that address each requirement:

The kiosk should also be operable by: