Why You Need To Think About Accessibility When Designing

Designing for accessibility is now more necessary than ever when it comes to the rollout of your interactive content. This is because the physically challenged now account for a substantial part of the market for most products and services. However, aside from being a savvy business move, considering the needs of the differently abled is the ethical, compassionate, and humanitarian thing to do. Making sure that your event booth or retail location is accessible through the innovative use of technology is also beneficial for your business reputation. When you make your locations more accessible for disabled attendees and clients, you also make an impact on other passers-by, who will be impressed by your innovation and consideration for others.

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Ways to Implement Accessible Designs

When designing a touch screen program for the disabled, there are several features you can consider adding to it in order to facilitate their needs. These include:

·    Speech recognition software to enable hands-free operation.

·    Text to speech software with adjustable speeds that can be customized on the spot to address the needs of an individual whose attention may shift from one topic to another.

·    Braille keyboards to facilitate the input of information by those unable to identify on-screen targets.

·    Trackpads and program designs that make access to information easier for those who cannot move with precision and need a broader concept of touch-and-click technology to make their selections.

Broader Approaches to Needs of the Disability Market

Targeting the disability market is almost entirely matter of accessibility, whether it is through the addition of ramps, improved audio, brochures in Braille, brighter monitors or the use of technology to improve the person’s understanding of what it is that you have to offer. An effective way to understand the needs of this market is to contact various institutions such as schools for the deaf or blind, veteran’s hospitals, and nursing homes and speak with professionals about unique needs and challenges

Other considerations

·    Having a dedicated space for the disabled permitting the adjustment of monitors, sound and other aspects of in-place technology as needed.

·    Having a ramp in place for wheelchairs or personal assistance to lift wheelchairs into your kiosk if necessary.

·    Posting a sign that lets people know your facility has accessible features.

It also helps to have a radio or television campaign in place to let the general public and the disabled know that you have the technology, services, and the design in place to accommodate disabled citizens.

IntuiFace contains a host of capabilities enabling you to accommodate the needs of those with physical limitations. For more information about how to design for accessibility, see this dedicated page on our website.

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