How to Make your Digital Signage ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that access to components within a building is equal for people with disabilities. They enable this by establishing design requirements for the construction and alteration of facilities subject to the law.
These laws have an impact on everyday simple things like driving a car to how we conduct businesses e.g. how digital signage is installed in public spaces.
This includes installations of floor-standing touchscreen kiosks, screen enclosures, video walls, the mounting system used, just to name a few. These types of digital signs must adhere to the proposed guidelines for ADA compliance.
It also makes good business sense that the digital signage message is accessible to all potential audiences to increase reach and impact.
To help you make your digital signage ADA compliant, follow these 3 simple tips:
1. The height of your screens
According to ADA compliance standards, any screen enclosure or wall mounted digital signs must not stick out more than 4 inches from a wall. Additionally, enclosures and displays must be installed at the correct height. That is, at a minimum of 27-inches off the ground and a maximum of 80-inches.
This rule specifically serves people who require wheelchairs or other devices to assist movement. By adhering to these standards, your displays with not interfere with people’s movements and you can ensure maximum safety.
For making informed decisions about your screens, check out our handy digital signage screen guide.
2. Are touch screens easy to reach?
Enclosures housing touchscreen digital signage must maintain a maximum height off the ground of 48-inches within 20-inches of an arm’s reach. Kiosks that are built sloped upwards are generally recommended for wheelchair accessibility and are easier to use. A 15° to 20° slope allows the content to be within reach of most users, regardless of physical ability.
Content is also an essential part of this equation. Don’t spread out touch content too much on a display — instead, keep things simple and within reach so everyone can make use of it and receive the message.
3. Access for the visually impaired
Digital signage is typically all about the visual, but voice-responsive technology can be integrated for those who are visually impaired.
A few ways to make your digital signage accessible to the blind include:
- adding a headphone jack for sound output instructions
- have input controls e.g. keyboards, be discernible by touch and raised
- adding braille instructions
Why it helps to make Digital Signage ADA Compliant
According to the US Census Bureau, there are nearly 40 million Americans with some sort of physical disability or handicap. Too often, spaces are not designed with this significant portion of the population in mind.
When designing spaces and digital signage content, be sure to carefully consider people with disabilities, how they will receive your messages and how they can be equally included in the environment you build.
Taking a few simple steps towards inclusion can mean a world of difference to someone.
Head here if you’d like to find out more about using digital signage in your workplace. You can also email us at info@mvixdigitalsignage.com or connect with one of our team members.
