June 08, 2007ADA Compliance NotesIf you think you have no reason to be concerned about getting sued over the Americans with Disabilities Act, think again, especially if your company uses any self-service, application, or vending kiosks. Article from Inside Recruiting. Because kiosks are electronic devices, and part of cyberspace, the ADA has said such kiosks are "fair game" for ADA liability coverage, according to Carolyn Burnette, partner in the law firm Shaw Valenza in California. Rules apply to such kiosks, and all employers must provide "reasonable access," explains Burnette. Burnette cited the example of how the National Federation of the Blind brought a class-action suit against a major retailer due to its inaccessibility issues. Burnette says to avoid a similar headache for your organization, companies should revise systems to include a Braille reader, audio prompts, and other links for disabled-access capabilities. Burnette says immediate steps you can take include:
Just last month, for example, Amtrak announced its second generation of self-service ticketing, fully compliant with all ADA guidelines. Beyond Braille and specially adapted headsets, other changes include new ticketing kiosks, security camera, barcode and credit-card readers, dual printers, and an encrypted PIN pad. The Amtrak kiosk was designed and engineered by KIOSK located in Colorado. According to Francie Mendelsohn, president of Summit Research Associates, the University of Wisconsin's Trace Research and Development Center is a pioneer of cross-disability access. The system "pioneered" EZ Access, a simple set of buttons that allows universal access to technology. Mendelsohn also recommends the World Wide Web Consortium and CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology). Finally, the Job Accommodation Network recommends the following ideas for employers to consider when purchasing equipment for the workplace:
Note: This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer specific legal advice. You should consult your legal counsel regarding any threatened or pending litigation. Carolyn Burnette, an employment lawyer at the firm Shaw Valenza, spoke about these and other employment law issues during a recent conference call. Subscribers to the Journal of Corporate Recruiting Leadership can contact Todd Raphael about getting a tape. Posted by staff at June 8, 2007 06:55 AM |