New Self-Serve Kiosk Accessibility Standard On The Way

Starting Dec. 31, 2016, any newly installed automated self-service kiosks used for such things as check-in, printing of boarding passes and baggage tags at Canadian air, ferry and train terminals should be accessible to travellers with disabilities, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that 25% of kiosks are accessible by Dec. 31, 2022.

This is the expectation of the Canadian Transportation Agency’s recently amended code of practice: Removing Communication Barriers for Travellers with Disabilities. The standard is harmonized with the new United States Department of Transportion (DOT) rule published late last year, providing greater predictability and consistency across North America for travellers with disabilities.

The standard was developed based on input received during consultations with the Agency’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, which consists of representatives from associations representing the interests of persons with disabilities, major Canadian airlines, passenger railway companies, ferry operators, as well as with air industry stakeholders and the Canadian Airports Council. A two-year implementation period is provided to account for current technical and manufacturing limitations.

“Persons with disabilities have a right to access automated self-service kiosks independently, safely and securely,” said Geoff Hare, chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency. “Our experience has shown that the Agency’s voluntary standards approach is effective in increasing the accessibility of the federal transportation network for persons with disabilities.”