Sweeping Americans with Disabilities Act Regs Go into Effect on March 15, 2012. Will Your iPad Kiosk be Legal?
FREDERICK, Md., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiosk Group, Inc. is now offering its newly-modified collection of iPad kiosks designed to comply with the new ADA requirements. Kiosk Group, Inc. is known for its collection of Exquisite iPad Kiosks designed by consultant Jer Schweickart.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111128/PH13074 )
The new Regulations were signed into law by the Department of Justice in 2010. Makers of kiosks and other architectural specialties were given two years to make the change-over. On March 15, 2012 the new standards will become required by Federal law.
"The new ADA standards are going to have a far-reaching effect on every part of American life, including kiosks. Penalties can be as much as $55,000 for the first offense and actually double on subsequent offenses," reports Kiosk Group president Mike James. "Our engineering team has been working hard this past year to develop kiosk solutions that will serve all Americans, not just most of them. In fact, we've been selling our 2012-compliant kiosks since this summer."
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that gives all Americans equal access to employment, local government facilities, public transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, and other major life activities. The law is intended to keep people with disabilities in the mainstream of America life.
Kiosk Group, Inc. offers four models of its designer iPad kiosks: the Standalone kiosk, the Standard and Low-Rise Countertop kiosks, and the elegant Wall kiosk. They can be seen at http://www.ipadkiosks.com/.
"The new regulations lower the maximum reach for height from 54 to 48 inches. That's not very high," says Jer Schweickart, award-winning kiosk designer. "The average American adult is 67.5 inches tall. We calculated the correct screen angle to work the best for all heights -- six-footers to wheelchair-bound users. We're very happy with the results."
Kiosk Group, Inc. also represents the Beyond Kiosks brand of PC and Mac-based kiosks, also designed by Jer Schweickart. These kiosks are shown at http://www.beyondkiosks.com/.
President Mike James has blogged about the specific guidelines that drove the redesign of their products. This paper is available at http://www.ipadkiosks.com/wordpress/2011/11/buying-ipad-kiosks-ignoring-the-new-ada-requirements-could-cost-you-big/.
SOURCE Kiosk Group, Inc.