It has been reported that 27 percent of all Americans are living with some type of disability. That’s more than one in four people, and so the chances are high that someone with a disability will visit your business.
Disability can show up in a lot of different ways, so it’s important to ensure your check-in process is as inclusive as possible. Additionally, depending on your industry and type of business, there may be requirements by which you must abide.
Every October, Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). When first enacted in 1945, Congress declared the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” to encourage business owners to hire those with physical disabilities. This was amended in 1962 to include other types of disabilities as well. 25 years later, they further expanded this observation to include the whole month of October. Today, it is referred to as NDEAM.
In the spirit of recognizing NDEAM, we’d like to share some accessibility tips to show you how The Receptionist for iPad can help you support your visitors with disabilities.
It’s important to remember when implementing a visitor management system like The Receptionist for iPad to consult with your own legal counsel to ensure adherence to requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as they relate to your business.
- Ensure the touch screen is unobstructed. If placed on a floor stand, ensure there is a clear surrounding area where a wheelchair or other mobility aid could easily fit and be unobstructed.
- Keep peripherals within reach. If using a printer for badges, ensure the printer is similarly unobstructed and near the kiosk.
- Consider whether a wheelchair user is able to reach the touch screen. If mounted on the wall, ensure it is not placed too high, as it may impede the ability of some to access it.
- Make use of your iPad’s accessibility settings. You can enable voiceover and/or audio descriptions for your visually impaired visitors.
- Create detailed options. For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, giving as much information as possible during the check-in process can help ensure a smooth visit.
- Stay nearby. If you plan to welcome visitors with disabilities frequently, keep an employee on hand to assist them with any questions or issues they may have.
There are many ways in which The Receptionist for iPad can be used to help those with disabilities. If you have specific questions or needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information.
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