EV Charging Failing The Disabled

EV Charging KIosk ADA

EV Charging and ADA

Nice article from TechieExpert Apr 2022

“If I were on my own, I’d be crying right now. It was just too hard to plug the charger in.” It is a quote from a recently concluded RIDC research participant on disabled electric vehicle users. Electric vehicle technology has been a major boon for disabled people everywhere in the country. Charging technology has yet to catch up to the needs of the differently-abled. The availability of charging stations itself is the largest infrastructural problem. And slipping through its cracks are the everyday struggles of the disabled members of our society.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a civil rights law. It seeks to prohibit discrimination against disabled individuals by setting up appropriate guidelines. These ADA compliance guidelines are now established for several domains. There are some workarounds even for those domains that aren’t clearly defined. For example, the WCAG standards can be used to improve a website’s ADA compliance. Some organizations even help with its implementation.

EVCS, or electric vehicle charging systems, don’t have any ADA guidelines whatsoever, nor do they have any equivalent standards that can be used. Some variations of the ADA guidance applied to kiosks and parking could be involved in the future.

The Issues That the Disabled Face

The anxiety of the unknown

Before the journey even starts, a disabled person faces the anxiety of the unknown. Public charging point accessibility isn’t given for most access points. As a result, when a disabled person plans her journey, she is unaware of the charging point until she arrives.

Now let’s take a look at the physical issues that they face.

Design of Space

Accessibility with a walking aid or a wheelchair needs a significant amount of space. A clear area between vehicle parking and the charge point needs to be present. Most vehicle parking spaces aren’t large enough for the disabled to maneuver in. It makes all such charging points inaccessible to them.

Bollards With Charging Stations

Wheel stoppers or small barricades protect many charging points. These make the charging stations out of reach for many due to the distance between the bollards and the machine.

Interaction With the Charging Stations

Electric vehicle charging cables are awkward and heavy. The materials used to manufacture them are selected with durability in mind. These cables and plugs are extremely cumbersome for the differently-abled to handle. Some electric vehicles already have charge points in difficult locations. The charging stations aggravate that issue.

Mandatory Apps for Charging Stations

All charging points also need an app to control and monitor them. Downloading and using apps can be quite challenging for some users. Those with a motor function or vision-related disability, in particular. Charging should not depend on an app, and contactless is the way to go.

Proximity of Facilities

All additional facilities, like toilets, need to be located close to the charging point. The route to and from those facilities must also be clear and straightforward. Thus, accessibility designs shouldn’t just be restricted to the charging points themselves. Accessibility needs to have a wide site-wide scope.

Safety and Security

The right kind of lighting and weather shelter at the charging points are important for everyone. It is even more true for the disabled, who need that extra reassurance that they are in a safe environment. There are crossovers with women’s safety at remote charging points.

The Need for EV Charging Standards

There is no need to reinvent the wheel with the charging stations around the country. These are practical needs and are easy to implement. To be fair to the electric vehicle and charging technology industries, the uptake has been slow. However, conventional petrol and diesel vehicles are slowly being phased out everywhere. And soon their sales will be banned.

The administration needs to define the standards quickly. Significant investment has already been made into charging stations that aren’t fully accessible. For electric vehicle technology to become truly universal, it needs to be accessible to everyone.

No one can be left behind. Not only is it socially imperative, but it also has a commercial rationale. As more and more people start using this technology, businesses and the government will have to make it more accessible. And retrofitting is never an economical solution.

Accessibility is something that is not just useful for those with special needs but for everyone. For instance, parents pushing prams or pregnant women can benefit from these simple design changes. And we have to remember that at some point in our own lives, we will have the needs of the elderly. The need for elderly accessibility is certainly universal.

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ADA Kiosk – ANPRM Issued by U.S. Access Board

ADA Kiosk

Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines; Self-Service Transaction Machines and Self-Service Kiosks

As noted on Federal Register September 21, 2022 — contact info@kma.global for more information

AGENCY:

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

ACTION:

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (“Access Board” or “Board”) is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to begin the process of supplementing its accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 to address access to various types of self-service transaction machines (SSTMs), including electronic self-service kiosks, for persons with disabilities. By this ANPRM, the Access Board invites public comment on the planned approach to supplementing its ADA Accessibility Guidelines and ABA Accessibility Guidelines with new scoping and technical provisions for SSTMs and self-service kiosks. The Board will consider comments received in response to this ANPRM in its development of these guidelines for SSTMs and self-service kiosks in future rulemaking.

DATES:

Submit comments by November 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number (ATBCB-2022-0004), by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Email:. Include docket number ATBCB-2022-0004 in the subject line of the message.

• Mail: Office of Technical and Information Services, U.S. Access Board, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-1111.

Instructions: All submissions must include the docket number (ATBCB-2022-0004) for this regulatory action. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

Docket: For access to the docket, to read background documents or public comments received, go to: https://www.regulations.gov/​docket/​ATBCB-2022-0004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical information: Bruce Bailey, (202) 272-0024, . Legal information: Wendy Marshall, (202) 272-0043, .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Legal Authority

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 charges the Access Board with developing and maintaining minimum guidelines to ensure the accessibility and usability of the built environment in new construction, alterations, and additions. See42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.; see also29 U.S.C. 792(b)(3)(B) & (b)(10). The Access Board’s ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) address buildings and facilities covered under Title II of the ADA (state and local government facilities) and Title III of the ADA (places of public accommodation and commercial facilities). The ADAAG serves as the basis for legally enforceable accessibility standards issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), which are the federal entities responsible for implementing and enforcing the ADA’s non-discrimination provisions related to buildings and facilities in new construction, alterations, and additions.

The Access Board has a similar responsibility under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968, which requires that buildings and facilities designed, built, or altered with certain federal funds or leased by federal agencies be accessible to people with disabilities. See42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq. The ABA charges the Access Board with developing and maintaining minimum guidelines for covered buildings and facilities. The Board’s ABA Accessibility Guidelines (ABAAG) serve as the basis for enforceable standards issued by four standard-setting agencies: the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Postal Service.

II. Need for Accessibility Guidelines for SSTMs

Kiosks and other types of SSTMs are now a common feature in places of public accommodation, government offices, and other facilities. They allow users to conduct an expanding range of transactions and functions independently. SSTMs serve as point-of-sales machines for self-checkout in a growing number of retail facilities, grocery stores, and drug stores. Self-service kiosks at airports and hotels provide check-in services. Restaurants are providing touchscreens for customers to place orders, and health care providers, including doctors’ offices and hospitals, allow patients to check in at kiosks. SSTMs and self-service kiosks are also found at state and local government facilities, such as motor vehicle departments.

SSTMs and self-service kiosks have long posed accessibility barriers to people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. Robust speech output is necessary to provide access for users unable to see display screens. It is increasingly common for information and communication technology (ICT), including kiosks, to have touchscreens without a physical keypad or other tactile controls. This results in the screen being an obstacle for the user to both receive information, if the information is not provided audibly, and to enter information, as the input “buttons” are the flat touchscreen which have no tactile markers. In addition, SSTMs and self-service kiosks frequently pose barriers for users who are deaf or hard of hearing by failing to provide captioning and text equivalents for audible information.

These devices also must be accessible to people with physical impairments, including those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, have limited dexterity, or who are of short stature. Sufficient clear floor space at the device is necessary to accommodate wheeled mobility aids. For usability, controls and keys must be within accessible reach ranges and screens or other displays must be viewable from a seated position. Controls and features must not require delicate motor movements or fine dexterity.

On May 19, 2021, the Access Board conducted a virtual public forum on the accessibility of SSTMs that featured panel presentations by invited speakers. One panel addressed usability issues and barriers that people with sensory, cognitive, physical, or multiple disabilities encounter using kiosks, point-of-sales machines, and other SSTMs. Speakers included representatives from the Blinded Veterans Association, the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network, and the United Spinal Association. They called attention to common access barriers, such as the lack of speech output and tactilely discernable input keys and controls for users who are blind or who have low vision. People who use wheelchairs and scooters encounter display screens that are difficult to see and controls that are out of reach. Further, correction and time-out features can impact usability for persons with cognitive disabilities. ( See “Panel Discussions on Inclusive Interfaces: Accessibility to Self-Service Transaction Machines” available at: https://www.access-board.gov/​news/​2021/​05/​24/​u-s-access-board-conducts-panel-discussions-on-self-service-transaction-machines.)

A second panel discussed efforts by research and industry to improve access to SSTMs. Panelists included representatives from the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) and the Trace Research and Development Center who addressed the need for accessibility standards for SSTMs, provided an overview of relevant requirements and resources, and discussed strategies for accessibility. They were joined by representatives from software and hardware developer NCR, which has created a Universal Navigator interface for SSTMs, and Vispero, a company that has created a kiosk interface that integrates screen-reading software. Id.

According to the KMA, the lack of accessibility to kiosks is due in large part to the absence of complete and uniform standards. The lack of detailed requirements has led to a common misconception that physical accessibility or an audio jack alone is sufficient. In addition, some states have implemented their own unique requirements for SSTMs, which led to complications in ensuring compliance with varying standards. Some kiosk manufacturers serve global markets, and they have stressed the importance of consistency of U.S. standards with requirements issued by other countries and international organizations. Id.

III. Existing Guidelines

A. The ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines

The Access Board has issued accessibility guidelines for the built environment. The Access Board’s ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines, which were jointly updated in 2004, require only ATMs and fare machines to provide speech output so that displayed information is communicated to users who are blind or who have low vision. The guidelines also address braille instructions, privacy, input controls, display screens, operable parts, and clear floor space. See36 CFR part 1191, 69 FR 44084.

When the Board promulgated the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines in 2004, it noted in the preamble that it had chosen not to broaden the application of the guidelines to address other types of SSTMs such as point-of-sale machines and information kiosks. However, the Board noted that it intended to consider a future update to these guidelines after monitoring the application of accessibility standards it had issued under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (36 CFR part 1194) in 2000 for information and communication technology (ICT), including electronic kiosks, in the federal sector. See69 FR 44083, 44455 (July 23, 2004).

In March of 2010, the Board issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) indicating that it was considering a supplemental rulemaking to address in ADAAG access to SSTMs used for ticketing, check-in or check-out, seat selection, boarding passes, or ordering food in restaurants and cafeterias. See Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines; Electronic and Information Technology Standards, ANPRM, 75 FR 13457 (Mar. 22, 2010). However, the Board later postponed this effort due to rulemaking it was conducting on information and communication technology in the federal sector under the Rehabilitation Act. See Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, ANPRM, 76 FR 76640 (Dec. 8, 2011).

B. Section 508 Accessibility Standards

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794d (hereafter, “Section 508”) requires access to ICT in the Federal sector. The law applies to ICT developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies, including SSTMs and self-service kiosks, as well as computers, telecommunications equipment, software, websites, and electronic documents. The Board is responsible for issuing accessibility standards for ICT covered by Section 508. The Board published its original Section 508 Standards in 2000 (65 FR 80499) and updated them with the Revised 508 Standards in January 2017 (82 FR 5790). The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council and federal agencies incorporate these standards into their respective acquisition regulations and procurement policies and directives. See86 FR 44229 (Aug. 11, 2021).

The Revised 508 Standards apply to hardware in the federal sector that transmits information or has a user interface, such as self-service kiosks provided by federal agencies for use by customers in post offices and social security field offices. See36 CFR part 1194, App. A, E206. The Section 508 Standards address biometrics, privacy, operable parts, data connections, display screens, status indicators, color coding, audible signals, two-way voice communication, closed captioning, and audio description. Id. at App. C, Ch. 4.

C. DOT Regulations for Self-Service Kiosks in Airports

In 2013 the Department of Transportation (DOT) supplemented its regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986, as amended, and the Rehabilitation Act to address access to airport self-service kiosks used for checking in, printing boarding passes, and other passenger services. 78 FR 67882 (Nov. 12, 2013). DOT’s rule applies requirements based on the provisions for ATMs and fare machines in the ADA Standards and provisions for self-contained closed products in the Board’s Original Section 508 Standards. Id. New airport kiosks must meet the DOT standards until at least a quarter of all kiosks at each airport location are accessible. The rule applies to U.S. and foreign air carriers that own, lease, or control automated airport kiosks at U.S. airports with at least 10,000 enplanements a year. Id.

III. Planned Approach to the NPRM and Questions for Public Comment

The Access Board intends to propose supplementary provisions for SSTMs and self-service kiosks in a future rulemaking that are based on both the technical requirements for ATMs and fare machines in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines (36 CFR part 1191) as well as relevant provisions for hardware in the Revised Section 508 Standards (36 CFR part 1194). In addition, the Board intends to address the types of SSTMs and self-service kiosks to be covered under both the ADA and the ABA and the number or percentage required to comply. The Board invites public comment on this planned approach for this rulemaking generally, and on the specific questions posed below.

Application

The Access Board’s authority under the ADA and ABA to set minimum guidelines for buildings and facilities is limited to those elements that are built-in or that are fixed to buildings and sites. DOJ and other agencies have the authority to regulate moveable furniture and equipment under the ADA or ABA. Thus, the Board’s ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines apply only to ATMs and fare machines that are fixed or built-in, but not to those that are moveable. Similarly, the Board intends that only SSTMs and self-service kiosks that are fixed or built-in will be covered by this supplementary rule.

SSTMs and self-service kiosks are now commonplace in many different types of businesses and establishments and are used to conduct a growing range of transactions and services. One of the most common types of SSTMs that people encounter on a routine basis is self-checkout kiosks in grocery stores, drug stores, and retail chains. SSTMs and self-service kiosks are also being provided in settings where only information is being exchanged, such as unattended checking in for an appointment, checking out of a hotel, or ordering food in a restaurant. Touchscreens and tablets are now being incorporated into many different types of SSTMs and self-service kiosks. For example, some SSTMs and self-service kiosks use touchscreen interfaces for the delivery of goods and services, such as pairing online ordering with pickup from an automated electronic locker at a local retail location. The customer does not interact directly with any employees of the retail store.

Additionally, many vending machines are now essentially SSTMs, offering a wide array of choices via a video display, and utilizing touch-screen input to navigate those choices. The current ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines address physical access to vending machines by requiring at least one of each type to comply with criteria for operable parts, but the guidelines do not address access for users who are blind or who have low vision. 36 CFR part 1191, App. D, 228 and 309.

Question 1. In this rulemaking, the Board intends to cover fixed or built-in electronic devices that are designed for unattended operation by customers ( i.e., “self-service”) to conduct a transaction. It also intends to address fixed or built-in self-service kiosks, including those used to check in, place an order, obtain a product, or retrieve information. Are there capabilities, functions, or other objective criteria that should define the types of devices covered as SSTMs or self-service kiosks?

Question 2. Are there other types of electronic devices providing unattended interaction that should be addressed by this rulemaking? If so, what are they?

Question 3. Are there types of self-service electronic devices that should not be covered by this rulemaking? If so, why not?

Minimum Number

In its rulemaking, the Board intends to address the minimum number of SSTMs and self-service kiosks required to be accessible. Currently, the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines require at least one of each type of ATM or fare machine provided at each location to comply. See 36 CFR part 1191, App. B 220 and App. C F220. This may be insufficient in high traffic locations where many SSTMs or self-service kiosks of the same type are provided such as self-checkout devices in grocery stores and big-box retailers. Further, it can be difficult for users who are blind or who have low vision to locate which self-service devices are accessible, especially in areas where many devices are provided. DOT’s airport kiosk rule requires compliance for all new kiosks until at least 25% of all kiosks at each airport location are accessible. The 508 Standards require that all SSTMs and self-service kiosks be accessible.

Question 4. Should the Board’s rule require all fixed or built-in SSTMs and self-service kiosks in each location to be accessible? If not, why, and what should the number be? Are there some facilities or locations that should have a higher number of accessible devices than others?

Technical Requirements

ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines

The Board intends to apply the technical requirements from the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for ATMs and fare machines to SSTMs and self-service kiosks. Currently, these Guidelines address clear floor or ground space, operable parts, speech output, input controls, and display screens.

Clear floor or ground space is required so that people with disabilities, including those who use wheeled mobility aids, can approach and position at ATMs or fare machines in a forward or parallel direction. 36 CFR part 1191, App. D 707.2 and 305.5. This clear space generally must be at least 30 inches wide and at least 48 inches deep. Id. at 305.3. Additional space is required for maneuvering where this clear space is obstructed on both sides for more than half the depth. Id. at 305.7.

Operable parts for ATMs and fare machines must be located within accessible reach ranges. Id. at 707.3, 309.3, 308. They must be usable with one hand, and not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds force to operate. Id. at 707.3, 309.4. Users must be able to differentiate each operable part by sound or touch without activation; touch activation is permitted if a key to clear or correct input is provided. Id. at 707.3.

ATMs and fare machines must provide speech output (recorded or digitized human or synthesized) through a mechanism that is readily available to all users, such as an industry standard connector or telephone handset. Id. at 707.5. The speech function must have volume control and allow users to repeat or interrupt output. Braille instructions for initiating the speech are required Id. at 707.8. ATM speech output must provide an equal degree of privacy. Id. at 707.4.

Additionally, ATM and fare machines must provide tactilely discernible input controls for each function. Id. at 707.6. Numeric keys must be arranged in a 12-key ascending or descending telephone keypad layout, and the number five key shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys. Key surfaces not on active areas of display screens must be raised above surrounding surfaces. Where membrane keys are the only method of input, each shall be tactilely discernable from surrounding surfaces and adjacent keys. Visual contrast (either light-on-dark or dark-on-light) is required between function keys and background surfaces and between function key characters and symbols and key surfaces. Tactile symbols are required for certain function keys including enter or proceed, clear or correct, cancel, add value, and decrease value. Id.

The Guidelines also require that display screens be visible from a point located 40 inches above the center of the clear floor space in front of the machine. Id at 707.7. Display screen characters must have a cap height of at least 3/16 inch, be in a sans serif font, and contrast from the background either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

Section 508 Standards

The Board is also considering incorporating into the proposed rule certain requirements in the Revised 508 Standards for hardware that transmits information or has a user interface. 36 CFR part 1194, App. C, Ch. 4. In particular, the Board is considering including those requirements that specifically pertain to hardware that by its design does not support a user’s assistive technology other than personal headsets or other audio couplers. Such hardware is referred to as having “closed functionality.” The Revised 508 Standards require hardware with closed functionality to provide speech output for all information displayed on-screen or needed to verify transactions. Id. at 402. Like the requirements in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines, speech output must be delivered through a mechanism readily available to all users, such as an industry standard headphone jack or telephone handset, and the interface must allow users to repeat or pause output. Other specifications in this section of the 508 Standards which are harmonized with those in the ADA and ABA Guidelines address braille instructions for activating speech and volume control, privacy, operable parts, including input controls, and the visibility of display screens. Id. at 402.2.5, 402.3, 405, 407, and 408. Display screen characters must have a cap height of at least 3/16 inch unless there is a screen enlargement feature, be in a sans serif font, and contrast from the background either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. Id. at 402.4.

The Revised 508 Standards, which are much more recent than the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines, contain additional specifications including provisions that address biometrics, use of color and non-speech audio to convey information, status indicators, and captioning. Id. at 403, 409, 410, 411, and 413. The Revised 508 Standards also provide specifications for volume control for private listening ( e.g., through a headphone jack) and non-private audio ( i.e., speakers) and require tickets and farecards used with kiosks to have an orientation that is tactilely discernable if a particular orientation is needed for use. Id. at 402.3 and 407. Other unique provisions in the Revised 508 Standards address the display screen not blanking automatically when the speech-output mode is activated, alphabetic keys, timed responses, and flashing elements that can trigger photosensitive seizures. Id. at (405.1, 407.3.2, 407.5, and 408.3.

The Board intends to propose provisions for SSTMs and self-service kiosks based on those for ATMs and fare machines in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines and additional criteria relevant to SSTMs and self-service kiosks from the Revised 508 Standards. This approach is similar to that taken by DOT in its rule on airport self-service kiosks.

The Board has prepared a side-by-side comparison of these requirements in the ADA and ABA Guidelines, the Revised 508 Standards, and the DOT rule on airport kiosks. This matrix is available in the rulemaking docket at www.regulations.gov/​docket/​ATBCB-2022-0004.

Question 5. The Board seeks comment on this planned approach for the proposed supplementary guidelines for SSTMs and self-service kiosks outlined in this ANPRM.

The Revised 508 Standards contain requirements not included in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines that may pertain to ATMs or fare machines. These include a provision that biometrics, where provided, not be the only means of user identification or control. They also require that tickets, fare cards, or keycards, where provided, have an orientation that is tactilely discernible when necessary for use.

Question 6. Should requirements for ATMs and fare machines in the current ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines be updated as part of this rulemaking to address additional features covered in the Revised 508 Standards and the DOT rule pertaining to the accessibility of ATMs and fare machines?

Question 7. The Board seeks comments from users and manufacturers of self-service transaction machines and self-service kiosks on their experiences in using or designing accessible machines and the benefits and costs associated with the proposed requirements.

Question 8. The Board seeks comments on the numbers of small entities that may be affected by this rulemaking and the potential economic impact to these entities; these include small businesses, small non-profits, and governmental entities with a population of fewer than 50,000. The Board also seeks feedback on any regulatory alternatives that may minimize significant economic impacts on small entities.

Question 9. Should SSTM and a self-service kiosk which accept credit and debit cards be required to accept contactless payment systems?

Approved by notational vote of the Access Board on June 10, 2022.

Christopher Kuczynski,

General Counsel.

[FR Doc. 2022-20470 Filed 9-20-22; 8:45 am]

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ADA -ANPRM Sep-2022-2022-20470-compressed

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Accessibility ADA Committee Formed by Kiosk Manufacturers

KIOSK ADA COMMITTEE & WORKING GROUP

Kiosk Accessibility & Kiosk ADA Committee & ADA Working Group

To assist in formulating some agreed upon kiosk accessibility guidelines and understandings, and also to communicate those guidelines to the appropriate standards body we have an ADA Advisory Board and also an ADA Working Group.  Here is the writeupfrom our Kiosk ADA Committee meeting with the U.S. Access Group in Washington, DC in November 2017.

Accessibility & ADA Committee

Nicky Shaw
US Operations Manager at Storm Interface
Chairperson – LinkedIn Profile

As US Operations Manager for Storm Interface, Nicky is responsible for the development of Storm’s US customer base. She has special responsibilities to inform and support system specifiers and designers working to achieve more accessible kiosk deployments. Her initiatives within the kiosk design community have successfully engendered a belief and determination that accessibility can be achieved without compromise or detriment to the kiosk design ethos or concept. Nicky has been a passionate and long term campaigner for improved accessibility to Information and Communication systems deployed in public spaces. Her recent initiatives have included provisions to ensure that those responsible for specifying and deploying self-service technology are made fully aware of their legal responsibilities at the time of purchase. This initiative includes provision of education and information to kiosk manufacturers during the contractual RFI and RFQ process. Nicky understands the importance of accessibility and the struggles faced by the self-service industry in trying to achieve compliance. She is looking forward to working on the KMA Accessibility Committee to help facilitate an understanding of the state & federal regulations.

Michael O’Hare
Co-Chairperson

Michael O'Hare

Michael O’Hare

Mike has been designing, developing, and testing products for accessibility and usability for over twenty-five years.  He has experience in industrial design and user interface design. Mike has designed fully accessible solutions for airline, restaurant, and healthcare kiosks.Mike has presented to the United States Access Board and at the CSUN Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities. Mike received his M.S. in Management with a Concentration in Human Computer Interaction from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his B.F.A. in Industrial Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is the recipient of several patents.

Oscar Rozo
Senior Manager, Standards & Regulatory Compliance
LG Electronics USA, Inc. – LinkedIn Profile

LG Business Solutions Oscar Rozo

LG Business Solutions Oscar Rozo

A long-standing commitment to bettering people’s lives – regardless of their age, understanding of technology or any physical challenges they may face – serves as the foundation for LG’s consumer innovations. LG continues to work hard to maximize the usability of its advanced products and services, consulting with diverse users and leveraging its tech and design know-how to ensure that all of its solutions are as accessible as possible.

LG Electronics is spotlighting its continuing commitment to sustainability at CES® 2023, showcasing its ESG (environment-social-governance) vision and its latest impactful innovations in an exclusive exhibit dubbed the Better Life for All zone, which consists of three unique sections: For the Planet, For People and Our Commitment. For People, showcases LG’s efforts and achievements in product and service accessibility. These include the development of product manuals incorporating voice and sign language guides and the implementation of accessibility features – such as voice recognition, voice instruction, and motion-detecting sensors – in a wide range of products.

LG will continuously put our best efforts to develop new technologies, adding additional features and improving functionality to serve those with a wider range of abilities and disabilities.

 

Current Agenda:  Reviewing pertinent sections and providing feedback and comments before we meet with US Access Board in November

kiosk accessibility comes in many forms

Kiosk Accessibility Standards:

Here are the sections 402 and 407. Comments appreciated.  Full doc is here. ADA-2017-00395

402 Closed Functionality

402.1 General. ICT with closed functionality shall be operable without requiring the user to attach or install assistive technology other than personal headsets or other audio couplers, and shall conform to 402.

402.2 Speech-Output Enabled. ICT with a display screen shall be speech-output enabled for full and independent use by individuals with vision impairments.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Variable message signs conforming to 402.5 shall not be required to be speech-output enabled.

2. Speech output shall not be required where ICT display screens only provide status indicators and those indicators conform to 409.

3. Where speech output cannot be supported due to constraints in available memory or processor capability, ICT shall be permitted to conform to 409 in lieu of 402.2.

4. Audible tones shall be permitted instead of speech output where the content of user input is not displayed as entered for security purposes, including, but not limited to, asterisks representing personal identification numbers.

5. Speech output shall not be required for: The machine location; date and time of transaction; customer account number; and the machine identifier or label.

6. Speech output shall not be required for advertisements and other similar information unless they convey information that can be used for the transaction being conducted.Start Printed Page 5838

402.2.1 Information Displayed On-Screen. Speech output shall be provided for all information displayed on-screen.

402.2.2 Transactional Outputs. Where transactional outputs are provided, the speech output shall audibly provide all information necessary to verify a transaction.

402.2.3 Speech Delivery Type and Coordination. Speech output shall be delivered through a mechanism that is readily available to all users, including, but not limited to, an industry standard connector or a telephone handset. Speech shall be recorded or digitized human, or synthesized. Speech output shall be coordinated with information displayed on the screen.

402.2.4 User Control. Speech output for any single function shall be automatically interrupted when a transaction is selected. Speech output shall be capable of being repeated and paused.

402.2.5 Braille Instructions. Where speech output is required by 402.2, braille instructions for initiating the speech mode of operation shall be provided. Braille shall be contracted and shall conform to 36 CFR part 1191, Appendix D, Section 703.3.1.

EXCEPTION: Devices for personal use shall not be required to conform to 402.2.5.

402.3 Volume. ICT that delivers sound, including speech output required by 402.2, shall provide volume control and output amplification conforming to 402.3.

EXCEPTION: ICT conforming to 412.2 shall not be required to conform to 402.3.

402.3.1 Private Listening. Where ICT provides private listening, it shall provide a mode of operation for controlling the volume. Where ICT delivers output by an audio transducer typically held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided.

402.3.2 Non-private Listening. Where ICT provides non-private listening, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use.

402.4 Characters on Display Screens. At least one mode of characters displayed on the screen shall be in a sans serif font. Where ICT does not provide a screen enlargement feature, characters shall be 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) high minimum based on the uppercase letter “I”. Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.

402.5 Characters on Variable Message Signs. Characters on variable message signs shall conform to section 703.7 Variable Message Signs of ICC A117.1-2009 (incorporated by reference, see 702.6.1).

407 Operable Parts

407.1 General. Where provided, operable parts used in the normal operation of ICT shall conform to 407.

407.2 Contrast. Where provided, keys and controls shall contrast visually from background surfaces. Characters and symbols shall contrast visually from background surfaces with either light characters or symbols on a dark background or dark characters or symbols on a light background.

407.3 Input Controls. At least one input control conforming to 407.3 shall be provided for each function.

EXCEPTION: Devices for personal use with input controls that are audibly discernable without activation and operable by touch shall not be required to conform to 407.3.

407.3.1 Tactilely Discernible. Input controls shall be operable by touch and tactilely discernible without activation.

407.3.2 Alphabetic Keys. Where provided, individual alphabetic keys shall be arranged in a QWERTY-based keyboard layout and the “F” and “J” keys shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys.

407.3.3 Numeric Keys. Where provided, numeric keys shall be arranged in a 12-key ascending or descending keypad layout. The number five key shall be tactilely distinct from the other keys. Where the ICT provides an alphabetic overlay on numeric keys, the relationships between letters and digits shall conform to ITU-T Recommendation E.161 (incorporated by reference, see 702.7.1).

407.4 Key Repeat. Where a keyboard with key repeat is provided, the delay before the key repeat feature is activated shall be fixed at, or adjustable to, 2 seconds minimum.

407.5 Timed Response. Where a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted visually, as well as by touch or sound, and shall be given the opportunity to indicate that more time is needed.

407.6 Operation. At least one mode of operation shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

407.7 Tickets, Fare Cards, and Keycards. Where tickets, fare cards, or keycards are provided, they shall have an orientation that is tactilely discernible if orientation is important to further use of the ticket, fare card, or keycard.

407.8 Reach Height and Depth. At least one of each type of operable part of stationary ICT shall be at a height conforming to 407.8.2 or 407.8.3 according to its position established by the vertical reference plane specified in 407.8.1 for a side reach or a forward reach. Operable parts used with speech output required by 402.2 shall not be the only type of operable part complying with 407.8 unless that part is the only operable part of its type.

407.8.1 Vertical Reference Plane. Operable parts shall be positioned for a side reach or a forward reach determined with respect to a vertical reference plane. The vertical reference plane shall be located in conformance to 407.8.2 or 407.8.3.

407.8.1.1 Vertical Plane for Side Reach. Where a side reach is provided, the vertical reference plane shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) long minimum.

407.8.1.2 Vertical Plane for Forward Reach. Where a forward reach is provided, the vertical reference plane shall be 30 inches (760 mm) long minimum.

407.8.2 Side Reach. Operable parts of ICT providing a side reach shall conform to 407.8.2.1 or 407.8.2.2. The vertical reference plane shall be centered on the operable part and placed at the leading edge of the maximum protrusion of the ICT within the length of the vertical reference plane. Where a side reach requires a reach over a portion of the ICT, the height of that portion of the ICT shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum.

407.8.2.1 Unobstructed Side Reach. Where the operable part is located 10 inches (255 mm) or less beyond the vertical reference plane, the operable part shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor.

407.8.2.2 Obstructed Side Reach. Where the operable part is located more than 10 inches (255 mm), but not more than 24 inches (610 mm), beyond the vertical reference plane, the height of the operable part shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor. The operable part shall not be located more than 24 inches (610 mm) beyond the vertical reference plane.

407.8.3 Forward Reach. Operable parts of ICT providing a forward reach shall conform to 407.8.3.1 or 407.8.3.2. The vertical reference plane shall be centered, and intersect with, the operable part. Where a forward reach allows a reach over a portion of the ICT, the height of that portion of the ICT shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum.

407.8.3.1 Unobstructed Forward Reach. Where the operable part is located at the leading edge of the maximum protrusion within the length of the vertical reference plane of the ICT, the operable part shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) high maximum and 15 inches (380 mm) high minimum above the floor.

407.8.3.2 Obstructed Forward Reach. Where the operable part is located beyond the leading edge of the maximum protrusion within the length of the vertical reference plane, the operable part shall conform to 407.8.3.2. The maximum allowable forward Start Printed Page 5839reach to an operable part shall be 25 inches (635 mm).

407.8.3.2.1 Operable Part Height for ICT with Obstructed Forward Reach. The height of the operable part shall conform to Table 407.8.3.2.1.

Table 407.8.3.2.1—Operable Part Height for ICT With Obstructed Forward Reach
REACH DEPTH OPERABLE PART HEIGHT
Less than 20 inches (510 mm) 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum.
20 inches (510 mm) to 25 inches (635 mm) 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum.

407.8.3.2.2 Knee and Toe Space under ICT with Obstructed Forward Reach. Knee and toe space under ICT shall be 27 inches (685 mm) high minimum, 25 inches (635 mm) deep maximum, and 30 inches (760 mm) wide minimum and shall be clear of obstructions.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Toe space shall be permitted to provide a clear height of 9 inches (230 mm) minimum above the floor and a clear depth of 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the vertical reference plane toward the leading edge of the ICT.

2. At a depth of 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the vertical reference plane toward the leading edge of the ICT, space between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) minimum above the floor shall be permitted to reduce at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) in depth for every 6 inches (150 mm) in height.

 

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NPRM Proposed Rule Web and Mobile App Access

website accessibility DOJ

Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
The Justice Department sent to the Federal Register for publication a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how public entities – primarily state and local governments – can meet their existing ADA obligations as many of their activities shift online.

Across the United States, people routinely rely on web and mobile apps to access a variety of vital public programs and services like employment and educational resources, voting information, health and emergency services, parking, and transit schedules. The proposed rule is particularly significant in the wake of the pandemic, as public entities have significantly increased the scope of essential services and programs offered through the web and mobile apps. It is critical for these technologies to be accessible for people with disabilities.

“This marks the first time in the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act that the Justice Department has issued a proposed rule on website accessibility,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This proposed rule seeks to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to the websites and apps that connect them to essential services provided by state and local governments.”

“This proposed rule, which is the culmination of years of work and collaboration, is a historic moment for the Justice Department,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “It will help enshrine the right of Americans with disabilities to access critical information needed to lead safe, productive, and prosperous lives.”

“This proposed rule marks a significant milestone in the Justice Department’s efforts to advance accessibility in the digital sphere,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This groundbreaking moment makes clear our commitment to eradicating the barriers faced by people with disabilities and affording equal access to online government programs and services that people around the country depend on every day. We will continue to use every tool available to ensure that people with disabilities are provided full access to the digital town square.”

As state and local governments continue to move more of their programs and activities online – from applying for permits to checking the status of service requests, registering vehicles, and paying taxes and fees – ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to these same services is essential. When websites and mobile apps are not accessible, they can be difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to use. This can block people with disabilities from readily accessing important government services and programs that others can quickly and easily obtain online.

The Department is eager to hear from the public and get input from relevant stakeholders on the regulatory proposal set forth in our forthcoming proposed rule. The proposed rule will soon be available for review on the Federal Register’s website at www.federalregister.gov. A fact sheet that provides information about the proposed rule will soon be available on www.ada.gov. The Department invites the public to submit their comments on the proposed rule once it is published. The comment period will be open for 60 days from the date the proposed rule is published. Public comments can be submitted on www.regulations.gov.

For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the Department’s website. For more information on the ADA, please call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit the ADA website.

Updated July 25, 2023

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Screen Reader Software – Vispero listed now on AWS Marketplace

JAWS Kiosk

Vispero/TPGi Listed in AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community

Couple of news items for screen reader news, both from Vispero, the leader with JAWS Kiosk software. From PRnewswire — Vispero/TPGi Software now available to 18 U.S. Intelligence Agencies in AWS Marketplace

JAWS Kiosk AWS Marketplace

JAWS Kiosk AWS Marketplace

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Vispero® and TPGi®, global leaders in accessibility software and services, today announced the availability of their offerings in the AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). The AWS Marketplace for the U.S. IC offerings includes a broad array of common software infrastructure, developer tools, and business software products that support the unique needs of the U.S. IC through improved security, increased mission impact, and cost savings. TPGi’s Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) software allows companies of all sizes to manage accessibility programs via one powerful integrated dashboard and to access a central repository of over 600 KnowledgeBase articles from worldwide experts in accessibility.

“We are pleased to offer our software in the AWS Marketplace for the U.S. IC to help government agencies assure their digital assets are usable by all employees and citizens while complying with Section 508 and accessibility standards,” said Matt Ater, Vice President of Vispero.AWS Marketplace for the U.S. IC provides the same purchasing convenience, open and transparent license terms and conditions, and a variety of pricing models, including hourly usage and annual subscription, as the commercial AWS Marketplace. It also supports Bring-Your-Own-License (BYOL) so that agencies can more easily migrate existing software licenses and applications to the cloud. For more information on AWS Marketplace for the U.S. IC, contact icmp@amazon.com.

About Vispero

Vispero is a global leader in assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific, TPGi, Enhanced Vision, and Optelec, all Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Today our product portfolio is considered one of the most diverse and reliable on the market.

About TPGi

TPGi provides digital accessibility software and services to help businesses reduce risk, grow revenue, and improve user experience. With over 20 years of experience and 21 employees actively influencing accessibility standards on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), TPGi offers the most robust knowledge base and accessibility expertise in the industry as well as award-winning self-service kiosk software. Our tailored approach has enabled 1000+ customers to achieve the best outcomes for their businesses, their employees, and their consumers.

SOURCE TPGi LLC

Disability:IN show in Orlando in July

jaws kiosk

jaws kiosk

Join Vispero® and TPGi at the #DisabilityInclusion event of the year. You can stop by our booth and check out Matt Ater speak during “Creating A Culture Beat: Drumming Up Support for Digital Accessibility.”

We can’t wait to meet you there!

Learn more about Disability:IN 2023: https://lnkd.in/gEBhNDWT

JAWS Kiosk Brochure Digital 2022-compressed

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ADA Regulations for EV Vehicles, Self-Service Kiosks & POS

ADA Regulations

ADA Regulations Update June 2023

June 15, 2023 — New updated dates for US Access Board NPRMs for EV and POS. Also, ANSI has just released their new EV standards, which include ADA considerations.  Thanks to Steve Taylor with TaylorPOS for reminding us of the NPRM dates.

Accessibility Guidelines for Self-Service Transaction Machines

This rulemaking would amend the Architectural and Transportation Compliance Board’s existing accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), located at 36 CFR part 1191, to include guidelines for the accessibility of fixed self-service transaction machines, self-service kiosks, information transaction machines, and point-of-sale devices.  The U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice are expected, via separate rulemakings, to adopt these amended guidelines as enforceable standards for devices and equipment covered by the ADA. RIN: 3014-AA44

Timetable:

ACTION DATE FR CITE
ANPRM 09/21/2022 87 FR 57662
ANPRM Comment Period End 11/21/2022
NPRM 12/00/2023

Accessibility Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are becoming commonplace with the rising production and use of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are nearly 50,000 public EV charging stations with almost 127,000 charging ports across the country.  The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in November 2021, allocates $7.5 billion to construct a national network of 500,000 EV charging stations to accelerate the adoption of EVs.  It is expected that the installation and use of EV charging stations will continue to expand; however, at present, there are no federal regulations specifying accessibility requirements for EV charging stations to ensure that they are accessible to and useable by persons with disabilities. The Access Board thus intends to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to supplement its Accessibility Guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) with scoping and technical requirements for electric vehicle charging stations. RIN: 3014-AA48

Timetable:

ACTION DATE FR CITE
NPRM 07/00/2023

ANSI Publishes Roadmap of Standards and Codes for Electric Vehicles at Scale

New York, June 14, 2023: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) announced today the publication of the Roadmap of Standards and Codes for Electric Vehicles at Scale developed by the Institute’s Electric Vehicles Standards Panel (EVSP). The roadmap’s primary focus is on light-duty, on-road plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) that are recharged via a connection to the electrical grid, as well as the supporting charging infrastructure needed to power them. Medium and heavy-duty EVs are also covered, as is wireless charging. A total of 37 standardization gaps are identified with corresponding recommendations across the topical areas of vehicle systems, charging infrastructure, grid integration, and cybersecurity. It is hoped that the roadmap will see broad adoption by the user community and will facilitate a more coherent and coordinated approach to the future development of standards for EVs.

The Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) is an Associate Sponsor. (UL is the premier sponsor)

ADA Excerpt:

(c) The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and implementing regulations, apply to EV charging stations by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability by public and private entities. EV charging stations must comply with applicable accessibility standards adopted by the Department of Transportation into its ADA regulations (49 CFR part 37) in 2006, and adopted by the Department of Justice into its ADA regulations (28 CFR parts 35 and 36) in 2010. 45 The U.S. Access Board, an independent federal agency that issues accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), Architectural Barriers Act(ABA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other laws, has provided a technical assistance document “Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” 46 to assist in the design and construction of electric vehicle (EV)
charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. In the Fall 2022 Unified Agenda and at recent Board Meetings, the Access Board announced that it anticipates a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for EVSE towards the end of the summer of 2023. Noting the expected continuing expansion and use of EV charging stations, the Board noted in relevant part that: [T]here are no federal regulations specifying accessibility requirements for EV charging stations to ensure that they are accessible to and useable by persons with disabilities. The Access Board thus intends to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to supplement its Accessibility Guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) with scoping and technical requirements for electric vehicle charging stations.

47 44 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-03500/p-385 45 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-03500/p-465 46 The Access Board, “Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” last updated 7/21/2022, Accessed 3/13/2023 https://www.access-board.gov/tad/ev/ 47 The Access Board, “Accessibility Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations,” RIN: 3014-AA48, Fall 2022,Accessed 2/13/2023 https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202210&RIN=3014-AA48
ANSI EVSP Roadmap of Standards and Codes for Electric Vehicles at Scale Page 101 of 170

The DOE Clean Cities Coalition Network provides best practices for installing ADA-compliant EV charging stations. 48
In addition, the California Division of the State Architect has developed accessibility requirements for EV charging, which are part of the California Building Code. 49
The 2021 International Building Code® (IBC®), section 1107, provides that no less than 5% of vehicle spaces at an EV charging site, and not fewer than one space for each type of EV charging system, shall be accessible. 50 This is not required for R-2, R-3, and R-4 occupancies. In terms of standards activity, ICC A117.1—2017 Accessible And Usable Buildings And Facilities, section 502.11, provides requirements that EV charging stations comply with requirements for operable parts (card readers) and are free of obstructions between the charging station and the adjacent parking space. 51 As noted, there is some policy activity anticipated. At this time, no codes and standards gap has been identified.

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Patient Kiosk Demo from HIMSS With ADA

ADA Kiosk Storm

Healthcare Kiosk Demo

Published on Healthcareittoday.com – Author John Lynn

In Brief

  • Nicky Shaw US Operations Manager at Storm Interface  does the demo
  • demonstration of accessibility device as part of check-in kiosk
  • Inability to use the touchscreen is the benefit
  • Kiosk has an Storm Audiopad installed on kiosk by Kiosk Innovations with screenreader software by Vispero (JAWS Kiosk)
  • Audio and Tactility are the key features
  • Demo done at HIMSS 2024
  • A second kiosk by Pyramid America part of demo

Excerpt:

One of the most interesting opportunities at the HIMSS annual conference is the chance to see demos of a wide variety of health IT solutions.  At this year’s event, we decided to film a number of demos of interesting health IT products that we thought readers of Healthcare IT Today would find useful.  If you want to see all of these demos as we share them, be sure to subscribe to the Healthcare IT Today YouTube channel.

The first demo I’m excited to share is by Nicky Shaw, US Operations Manager at Storm Interface.  Shaw demonstrates how you can take a healthcare kiosk and make it accessible for those who may have visual or other impairments.

Listen and subscribe to the Healthcare IT Today Interviews Podcast to hear all the latest insights from experts in healthcare IT.

Video Demo

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ANSI Roadmap for Electric Vehicles Released for Comment

ADA Regulations

ANSI EV Standards and Codes Draft Released

New York, March 31, 2023: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) released today for public review and comment a draft of the Roadmap of Standards and Codes for Electric Vehicles at Scale developed by the Institute’s Electric Vehicles Standards Panel (EVSP). The roadmap identifies key safety, performance, and interoperability issues; notes relevant published and in-development standards; and makes recommendations to address gaps in codes and standards. This includes recommending pre-standardization research and development (R&D) where needed. It also proposes prioritized timeframes for when standardization work should occur and standards developing organizations (SDOs) or others that may be able to lead such work. Working groups have been developing the draft roadmap since a kickoff event held in June 2022.

Comments Invited by May 1, 2023

The request for comment specifically invites comments that represent critical revisions and needed clarifications on the roadmap content. Comments on the draft roadmap may be submitted to evsp@ansi.org by close of business on Monday, May 1, 2023. Use of the comment form (see below) is required to better manage and review comments. The EVSP working groups are currently on hiatus and will reconvene in May to address the comments submitted and finalize the document for publication by the end of June 2023. While all comments are welcome, the EVSP reserves the right to hold disposition of comments in reserve for a future iteration of the document if they cannot be addressed within the time available. This might include, for example, comments on the document’s organization, or issues not addressed.

The draft roadmap and related materials may be downloaded as follows:

Building on ANSI EVSP roadmaps developed in the 2011-14 timeframe, the draft document seeks to describe the current and desired future standardization landscape that will support and facilitate EVs at scale. The roadmap’s primary focus is on light duty, on-road plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) that are recharged via a connection to the electrical grid, as well as the supporting charging infrastructure needed to power them. Medium and heavy-duty EVs are also covered. Topics covered include standards to address high power DC charging, storage (i.e., microgrid, distributed energy resource management systems) integrated with DC charging, vehicle grid integration, high power scalable/interoperable wireless charging, and vehicle-oriented systems. The broad target audience includes vehicle manufacturers, entities that will be installing and operating charging infrastructure; SDOs; U.S. federal, state, and municipal government agencies; electric utilities; and others.

To advance the Biden Administration’s goal for a clean energy future, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) issued a June 2021 lab call funding opportunity announcement. The lab call included a pillar on codes and standards with the goal to “identify and address challenges and barriers to the integration of EVs@Scale charging with the grid created by uncoordinated development of codes and standards and the rapid advances in vehicle and charging technologies.” An EVs@Scale lab consortium was formed in response with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as the lead lab for the codes and standards pillar supported by other national labs. The consortium committed to develop a 2022 roadmap like earlier roadmaps developed by the ANSI EVSP.

The EVs@Scale effort supports funding initiatives associated with deploying a nationwide EV charging infrastructure, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which provides $5 billion in Federal money to that end. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Highway Administration was directed to release a set of minimum standards and requirements for the implementation of the NEVI program. The NEVI Final Rule was issued on February 28, 2023, and appropriate references are included in the EVSP roadmap.

ANSI serves as administrator and coordinator of the U.S. private-sector voluntary standardization system. As a neutral facilitator, the Institute has a successful track record of convening stakeholders from the public and private sectors to define standardization needs for emerging technologies and to address national and global priorities. The ANSI EVSP is a cross-sector coordinating body whose objective is to foster coordination and collaboration on standardization matters among public- and private-sector stakeholders to enable the safe, mass deployment of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure in the United States with international coordination, adaptability, and engagement.

The ANSI EVSP does not develop standards. Rather, it serves as a forum for facilitating coordination among SDOs and others. ANSI’s facilitation of the EVSP is partly supported by VTO/ANL and UL Standards & Engagement.

“Standards and related conformity assessment programs have an important role to play in advancing electric vehicle technologies. ANSI invites all affected stakeholders, regardless of geographic location, to review the draft roadmap and make their views known,” said S. Joe Bhatia, ANSI president and CEO.

For more information, visit the EVSP webpage www.ansi.org/evsp or reach out to ANSI staff: Jim McCabe, senior director, standards facilitation (jmccabe@ansi.org; 212-642-8921), or Christine Bernat, associate director, standards facilitation (cbernat@ansi.org; 212-642-8919).

About ANSI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations.

The Institute represents and serves the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For more information, visit www.ansi.org.

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Kiosk Industry participates in three of the EV working groups and has assisted in development.

The KMA Kiosk Manufacturer Association is an Associate Sponsor of the ANSI EV Committee

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VISA Swipe Fees up 180% – Advocate for Reform

NRF Swipe Fee Reform

Small business is by far the hardest hit since they are the lowest volume. Rates went up 26% in the last 12 months and 180% over the last decade.  Monopolies do not exist for the benefit of consumers and lower inflation. Visa and Mastercard, which control 80 percent of the U.S. credit card market, centrally price-fix the swipe fees charged by banks that issue their cards even though many legal experts say the practice violates federal antitrust law.

Example case

“As the use of credit cards has become more and more prevalent, the credit card companies are making more and more money from merchants. When we first opened our business, credit card transactions accounted for approximately 40 percent of our business. Now the credit card share is about 80 percent of transactions. At the same time, fees have risen and the time taken before funds appear in our accounts gets longer. This is one more burden for merchants.”
John Morman, owner of Celtic Tides gift shop, Lexington, Va.

2023 NRF Small Business Fly-in
July 11-12, 2023
Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C.

The National Retail Federation is convening 50 small retailers in Washington, D.C., at the 2023 Small Business Fly-in on July 11-12, 2023. Attendees will focus on improving competition in the credit card payments system for retailers. They will learn about legislation and regulatory processes to address payments competition and share their stories directly with lawmakers. Attendees will be able to connect with fellow small retailers from across the country.

We encourage small businesses to sign up to advocate with us. NRF is pleased to be able to provide a limited number of travel scholarships to cover transportation and lodging for selected small business owners. Apply today using our application link. The application closes April 28, 2023.

Why attend?

Attendees will advocate for swipe fee reform and encourage Congress to support the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA). This bipartisan bill will address the broken and unfair credit card market that’s currently dominated by two major players that set the fees and terms with which all merchants must comply. Lack of competition means credit card swipe fees continue to rise year after year, soaring 25% last year alone.

The bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act would infuse competition into the marketplace by simply requiring there be at least two competing processing networks enabled on each credit card. These reforms have the potential to save American businesses and consumers an estimated $11 billion per year.

We are convening small retailers to share their stories on how excessive swipe fees stifle growth and expansion for small businesses and make it difficult to invest in their companies by hiring more staff, buying more inventory, competing on price and even keeping their doors open in today’s uncertain and inflationary economic climate.

 I hope you’ll consider applying today. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Meghan Cruz
Senior Director, Grassroots Advocacy
National Retail Federation
Direct: 202-626-8151
Cell: 937-474-3824

NRF forecasts 2023 retail sales will grow between 4% and 6% reaching more than $5.13 trillion. Learn more.

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ADA – Whole Foods SCO Review

Amazon Whole Foods Self-Service

We shop at Whole Foods from time to time. Part of our Costco-WholeFoods equation.

Seemed like a good time to “check out” the SCO there and the return lockers.

Notes on the SCO

  • Modified unit from NCR (same as Walmart)
  • No cash (unlike Walmart)
  • We didn’t have a chance to test while in wheelchair and do the measurements.
  • They have an “Accessibility Mode” which you can select but other than bring up the diamond navigation there is no audio. Perhaps there is a headphone jack we missed.
  • The diamond nav does tab between interface options but there was no audio. There is an audio button and we made sure volume all the way up but nothing.
  • Additional Comments by TaylorPOS —
    • The measurements matter but reach and range (only) are what have been the very problems forever.   Those NCR’s POS readers are way out of use for wheelchairs and highly probable for a lot of little people.
    • It also does not comply with PCI-POI (“must be able to PIN shield using the body”.  As well as ADA 302.8 limited reach and strength and 508 (ICT) 302.2 aka: ADA Visual Accommodation.
    • Seriously, these mfg’s and businesses including IT dept are just clueless to accessibility being correctly provided.
    • The reasons for ADA 309 and 309.4 are in place for very good reasons.
  • Comments from accessibility expert
    • That NCR SCO is a really poor example of how to tackle accessibility isn’t it??! If I had a ‘rogues gallery’ of horribly designed SCOs, I’d be adding that to it. I saw KIS’s returns kiosk at the NRF Show and it looked really slick, I must start looking out for them. I haven’t been to a Whole Foods for a while, but maybe I’ll stop by one when I’m out and about at the weekend.
  • Comments from NCR
  • Comments from Whole Foods

 

Whole Food Self-Check Out SCO

Whole Food Self-Check Out SCO

 

 

The Drop Off Return Locker

  • Nice unit and it was very busy.
  • Returning multiple items took very few minutes.
  • Seemed like some customers tried to open locker before time
  • We watched multiple customers and given the “Pick you Satisfaction” level review at the end they all opted for Very Satisfied.
  • Eventually the locker ran out of space and took itself offline.
  • Definitely free’s up the customer service people to deal with other issues
  • See full post on Amazon Dropoff and Return Lockers
amazon drop off locker

click for full size – amazon drop off locker

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