Digital Signage ADA - The Unmentionables

Easy to see there is nothing to see when it comes to seeing digital signage discussed with ADA and accessibility. Excluding our ADA posts from Self-Service, there is one article from 2023 on ADA on xChange AVIXA. Maybe next year AVIXA can add some education courses.
Digital Signage ADA - The Unmentionables
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Digital Signage ADA Accessibility

It is relatively rare to see digital signage ADA and accessibility talked about, much less demonstrated.  We at the Self-Service Association are guilty of that omission as well. I noticed we have no fixed category for “digital signage ADA”. We do now. Digital signage AI for sure but accessibility not. Our member 22Miles has a good infographic on ADA. At recent airport and airline transportation show AAAE Neil Farr shows us what accessibility looks like today on a wayfinding kiosk for the airport.

The interesting thing is that navigation is the kiosk capitalizes on the dual-mode enabled.  

  1. The usual icons scattered across the screen that the user decodes their meaning and the outcome purpose of.  Anyone with mobile app fatigue can sympathize. Does that image icon mean this or does it mean that?
  2. Then it offers a simpler tactile navigation which simplifies the process for the disabled, blind and includes audio. Airports can generate quite a bit of ambient noise but not so much in the newer airports. People are allowed to relax before being crammed into close-fitting airline seats.

Neil and Acquire Digital are attending and exhibiting at InfoCom this week. Booth 3489. It is the premiere of StudioDX pixel-perfect digital signage software.  See 22Miles and Peerless-AV and LG Business as well. Thanks to APAC members:  Gloshine LEDs  SophiaWu01@gloshine.cn  Booth 800  Giada #1316 — Talk to Lindsey and RCStars – #1974

More Background

How Rarely Is Accessibility and ADA Discussed in Relation to Digital Signage?

Accessibility and ADA compliance are often overlooked when it comes to digital signage, despite being critical legal and ethical requirements.  We decided to canvas the available sources and were prepared to be disappointed.

We weren't.

Frequency of Discussion

  • Most businesses and organizations focus on the visual appeal, branding, and messaging of digital signage, frequently neglecting accessibility and ADA compliance during deployment12.

  • ADA compliance for digital signage is “skipped over” by many businesses—not out of malice, but out of habit, as compliance does not usually cross their radar until it becomes a legal or reputational issue1.

  • Industry sources repeatedly emphasize that accessibility is not an afterthought anymore, yet the need for reminders and dedicated guides suggests the topic is not as widely discussed or prioritized as it should be32.

  • Many companies only become aware of ADA requirements for digital signage after facing costly lawsuits or complaints, indicating a lack of proactive discussion or integration in standard digital signage planning31.

Evidence from Industry Commentary

  • Articles and compliance guides stress that “most businesses skip over ADA compliance when they roll out digital signage”1.

  • Accessibility issues “fly under the radar—until a lawsuit hits,” and “plenty of businesses overlook ADA compliance in their digital signage”12.

  • The need for educational content, checklists, and compliance guides points to a gap in routine consideration and conversation about accessibility in digital signage projects435.

Consequences of Neglect

  • Non-compliance can result in significant legal penalties, including fines up to $75,000 for a first offense and $150,000 for subsequent violations31.

  • Beyond legal risks, neglecting accessibility excludes a significant portion of the population—about 15% globally have some form of disability—and can harm brand reputation and customer engagement62.

Industry Trends

  • While awareness is growing, particularly as lawsuits and regulations increase, accessibility and ADA compliance are still not mainstream topics in digital signage discussions compared to other aspects like content and technology312.

  • Some vendors and consultants are now actively promoting ADA-compliant solutions, but these efforts are recent and often in response to regulatory changes or high-profile legal actions435.

Summary Table: ADA & Accessibility in Digital Signage Discussions

Aspect Frequency in Industry Discussion Notes
Visual Design Very frequent Focus on branding, content, and aesthetics
Accessibility/ADA Infrequent, often overlooked Discussed mainly after issues arise or in compliance guides12
Legal Consequences Highlighted in specialized articles Rarely considered in early planning stages
Proactive Compliance Rare Growing, but not yet standard practice

Bottom Line

Accessibility and ADA compliance are rarely discussed or prioritized in relation to digital signage, except in specialized industry resources or after legal challenges arise. Most businesses focus on design and messaging, often neglecting accessibility until it becomes a costly problem. As regulations and awareness increase, the industry is slowly shifting, but accessibility remains an under-discussed aspect of digital signage deployment123

Related Digital Signage ADA Accessibility

Oops!  What About InfoComm?

Visit us at the InfoComm interactive tradeshow. This year Kiosk Industry has a booth at InfoComm and #3489.  June 11-13 Orlando. Free Customer Invites (use KIO978). 

What you will see in our booth:

Four featured speakers with headshots and titles appear on a purple gradient background for this InfoComm interactive IC25 event. Text details a session on Retail Revolution set for June 12, 3:15–4:00 PM, at Spotlight Stage - Booth 4327.

Four featured speakers with headshots and titles appear on a purple gradient background for this InfoComm interactive IC25 event. Text details a session on Retail Revolution set for June 12, 3:15–4:00 PM, at Spotlight Stage – Booth 4327.

Neil Farr

AcquireDigital Digital Signage

Click for full size

A leader in digital transformation, Neil Farr brings deep expertise in user engagement and technical innovation. As CEO of Acquire Digital, he has spearheaded the development of industry-leading solutions for digital signage and interactive experiences. At InfoComm, Neil will be showcasing Acquire’s latest advances in wayfinding technology and StudioDX—the next evolution in high-performance digital signage management.

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilfarr1/

 

 

Peter Kaszcyki

A trade show booth featuring BoldVu by MRI offers an interactive experience. The large digital display highlights The Emergency as two people converse nearby. With a blue, curved design, the booth exudes a sleek infocomm vibe, complete with branding and seating at the back.

Click for full size

BoldVu Large Format Outdoor Digital Signage and Smart City terminals. LG outdoor displays used.

VP – Business Development at BoldVu by MRI  Alpharetta, Georgia, United States Rochester Institute of Technology Manufacturing Resources International (MRI) https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kaszycki-14b2264/

 

Heinz Horstmann

Android lockdown kiosk mode https://kioskindustry.org//digital-signage-software-sitekiosk-online-kiosk-software-new-release/

Click for full size

CEO – SiteKiosk – Interactive Digital Signage & Kiosk Software for Public Computers and Displays. LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/heinz-horstmann-760b783/

 


 

John Wagner

A modern self-service kiosk with a large angled touchscreen labeled POLYTOUCH, a payment terminal, and a fingerprint scanner, set against a plain gray background. This ChromeOS Certified device ensures secure and seamless user interactions.

Pyramid Pixi ChromeOS Certified

Solution architect for Pyramid Computer. Self-Order, miniPC, media player and rackmount 1U and 2U servers. LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wagner12/

 

 


Edward Crowley

AI Connect Bar for conversational AI audio

AI Connect Bar for conversational AI audio

The first unified communications product designed to leverage the full power of Conversational AI. The new AI Connect Bar combines the industry’s best microphones with a tuned, amplified speaker system into one sleek peripheral with a single USB connection to seamlessly attach to most All-in-One (AiO) touchscreen computers and kiosks.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardjcrowley/


Why Go To InfoComm?

InfoComm is the largest and most comprehensive professional audiovisual trade show in North America, produced by the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA). The event brings together manufacturers, integrators, dealers, and end-users worldwide to showcase the latest technologies, products, and services in the professional audiovisual (pro AV) industry. InfoComm’s origins date back to 1946 when the National Association of Visual Education Dealers (NAVED) held its first conference, and since then, it has grown significantly to support the pro AV industry2.

AVIXA, established in 1939, is the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. It has more than 3,000 enterprise members representing over 20,000 AV professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, offering resources such as AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership14.

InfoComm 2025, scheduled for June 7-13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, will explore key trends in the pro AV industry, including the intersection of AV, IT, and broadcast, and the impact of AI on AV solutions1. The event will feature over 150 new exhibitors, showcasing advancements in LED displays, AV-over-IP solutions, and interactive technologies. The education program will include sessions across 10 tracks, with a focus on AI applications in various areas of the industry1.

InfoComm provides a dynamic environment for AV solution providers and buyers to conduct business, facilitating growth in the $325 billion pro AV industry, which is expected to add nearly $100 billion in revenues over the next five years1. The event allows attendees to network, learn about industry trends, and explore new technologies and business partnerships.

Featured Exhibitors

SiteKiosk Online is a cloud-based software solution designed to manage and secure public-access devices such as kiosks, digital displays, public computers, tablets, and laptops. It is compatible with both Windows and Android systems, offering a comprehensive platform for creating and managing interactive kiosks and digital signage displays.

Key Features of SiteKiosk Online

  • Protection:

    • Customizable and Hardened Browser: Ensures secure browsing by restricting access to unauthorized websites and protecting against malware.

    • Device Lockdown: Secures devices from tampering and unauthorized access from startup.

    • Data Security: Automatically clears session data after each use to maintain privacy.

  • Management:

    • Remote Access and Monitoring: Allows administrators to manage and monitor devices from a centralized dashboard, receiving real-time alerts for any issues.

    • Two-Factor Authentication: Supports secure login options, including LDAP and Active Directory integration.

    • Configuration Management: Enables remote updates and configuration changes across all devices.

  • Digital Signage and Content Management:

    • Powerful CMS: Supports various content types like videos, images, and PDFs, allowing for customizable menus and multilingual support.

    • Time and Event-Controlled Displays: Enables scheduling of content based on time, day, or external triggers.

    • API for Custom Scripts: Allows integration with external sensors and devices using common scripting languages like JavaScript and HTML.

Benefits

  • Customization: Offers flexibility in creating interactive user interfaces tailored to specific business needs.

  • Scalability: Supports expansion as businesses grow, allowing easy addition of new devices.

  • Security and Compliance: Ensures comprehensive privacy and compliance management, protecting customer data and maintaining regulatory standards.

Overall, SiteKiosk Online is designed to enhance customer experience through interactive digital solutions while ensuring operational efficiency and security across various industries.

 Postx: 241
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Author: Staff Writer   

Craig Keefner -- With over 40 years in the industry and technology, Craig is widely considered to be an expert in the field. Major early career kiosk projects include Verizon Bill Pay kiosk and hundreds of others. Craig helped start kioskmarketplace and formed the KMA. Note the point of view here is not necessarily the stance of the Kiosk Association or kma.global

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