ADA Kiosk Readiness Self-Assessment

— Compliance

Risk Level Not Assessed

Section Scores

♿ Physical Access —

🖥️ Software Access —

📋 Documentation —

♿

Physical Accessibility

Evaluate reach ranges, floor space, and physical access requirements per ADA guidelines.

Operable Parts Height

All operable parts are within 48" maximum from floor (forward reach) or 54" (side reach).

ADA §308.2, §308.3

Clear Floor Space

30" × 48" minimum clear floor space is available for a forward or parallel approach.

ADA §305.3

Knee and Toe Clearance

For forward approach: knee clearance 27" high minimum, toe clearance 9" high minimum.

ADA §306

Floor Surface and Slope

Floor surface is stable, firm, and slip-resistant. Slope does not exceed 1:48.

ADA §302, §304

Force to Operate

Maximum force required for touch activation does not exceed 5 lbf.

ADA §309.4

🖥️

Software Accessibility

Evaluate screen reader support, visual design, and interaction accessibility.

Screen Reader / Audio Output

Text-to-speech or screen reader functionality is available for users with visual impairments.

ADA Title III, §36.303

Headphone Jack for Privacy

3.5mm headphone jack or Bluetooth audio is available for private audio output.

Privacy best practice

Contrast Ratio

Text has minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio (or high contrast mode is available).

WCAG 2.1 AA

Touch Target Size

Interactive elements are minimum 44×44 pixels (or 9mm × 9mm physical size).

WCAG 2.1 AAA §2.5.5

Session Timeout

Users are warned before timeout and can extend session time by at least 10× the default.

WCAG 2.1 §2.2.1

Alternative Input Methods

Physical keypad, external keyboard, or alternative navigation method is supported.

WCAG 2.1 §2.1.1

Error Identification

Errors are clearly identified with text descriptions, not just color.

WCAG 2.1 §3.3.1

📋

Documentation & Policies

Evaluate staff training, alternative service options, and compliance documentation.

Alternative Service Method

Staff-assisted ordering is always available for customers who cannot use kiosks.

ADA Title III - Reasonable Accommodation

Staff Training

Staff are trained to assist customers with disabilities and know how to activate accessibility features.

Best practice

Accessibility Signage

Clear signage indicates how to access accessibility features or request assistance.

Best practice

Vendor VPAT / Accessibility Statement

Kiosk vendor has provided a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or accessibility conformance report.

Procurement best practice

📊 Assessment Summary

Compliance Score —%

Legal Risk Level Not Assessed

Items Reviewed 0/16

⚠️ Issues Found

Complete the assessment to see issues.

🔧 Remediation Checklist

Issues will appear here after assessment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What ADA requirements apply to self-order kiosks?

Under the ADA, self-order kiosks must be accessible to people with disabilities. Key requirements include: 30"x48" clear floor space, operable controls between 15"-48" from floor, tactile/audio alternatives for visual displays, sufficient time for task completion, and equivalent user experience for all customers.

What is the risk of non-compliant kiosks?

ADA violations can result in: Department of Justice complaints, private lawsuits with damages up to $75,000 for first violations, negative publicity, and loss of 26% of potential customers with disabilities. Many recent lawsuits target restaurants with inaccessible self-order kiosks.

How is the compliance score calculated?

The checker evaluates 16 requirements across 3 sections: Physical Accessibility (reach ranges, floor space, controls), Visual Accessibility (screen height, contrast, text size, audio alternatives), and Operational Accessibility (timeout duration, error messages, human alternatives). Items are weighted by legal risk severity.

What are the most common kiosk accessibility failures?

Top violations include: touchscreens too high for wheelchair users (must be ≤48"), no audio output or headphone jack, insufficient color contrast (<4.5:1 ratio), tiny touch targets, no tactile keypad option, and inadequate timeout for slower users.

Do existing kiosks need to be retrofitted?

Existing kiosks in places of public accommodation generally must be made accessible as part of "readily achievable" barrier removal. New kiosk deployments must meet accessibility standards from day one. Failure to address known accessibility issues significantly increases legal liability.

What standards should kiosk software meet?

Kiosk software should follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines: 4.5:1 minimum contrast ratio, text resizing up to 200%, clear error messages, no time limits without extension options, and logical navigation order for screen readers.