Can business owners really face lawsuits for not ensuring that they have ADA compliant kiosks? Alarmingly, the answer is: yes, they can. All business owners who use self-service, ticketing, vending, product promotion, employment and other types of kiosks are subject to the laws outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

ADA requires, among other things, that kiosks are easily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities or physical challenges. To do this, businesses should verify kiosk ADA compliance by ensuring that equipment includes disabled-access features and is positioned so that it can be easily reached by individuals with disabilities or physical challenges. Therefore, avoid placing your kiosks in tight corners or other hard-to-reach places. Additional steps business owners can take to ensure ADA compliance for kiosks include:

1. Check out your current kiosks.

2. Stay current on ADA requirements.

3. Find ADA compliant kiosk providers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out if you currently have an ADA kiosk

As a result of strict ADA requirements, many vendors only sell kiosks that are ADA compliant. Before you rush out to purchase new ADA compliant kiosks, be sure to talk to your vendor about your current system. It may already be ADA compliant or you may be able to inexpensively customize your current kiosk by purchasing ADA kiosk parts.

I recommend: Consider contacting FutureTouch Technology, a kiosk provider, for information on custom kiosk solutions. CD Meyer, a multimedia design company also customizes kiosks. The CD Meyer line of kiosks are easy-to-use and ADA compliant.

Stay informed on requirements for ADA compliance for kiosks

Laws are ever-changing. Therefore, it's important that you stay current on all regulations pertaining to ADA compliant kiosks. To avoid being sued, be sure to promptly switch out your equipment as required.

I recommend: ADA compliant kiosk providers like Meridian Kiosks offer a full line of ADA compliant kiosks and can help you stay compliant with ever-changing guidelines. Consider consulting with RedyRef, a kiosk provider that offers ADA compliant kiosks.

Purchase ADA compliant kiosks

Before making a purchase, be sure to ask if the vendor sells ADA compliant kiosks. It's also a good idea to inquire about options available for visual or hearing impaired kiosks. You may save money by purchasing used ADA compliant kiosks.

I recommend: Consider purchasing a used sit-down ADA kiosk from Cheap Kiosks, an online supplier of affordable systems and ADA compliant kiosk parts. SenSee Kiosks, an innovative kiosk provider, offers a range of ADA kiosks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After you have purchased new kiosks or confirmed that you currently have ADA compliant kiosks, it's a good idea to develop a kiosk maintenance schedule. Implementing a kiosk auditing schedule will help you not only ensure that your equipment is functioning properly, but also remind you to check in with vendors and read up on any new ADA legislation.