Pro-Touch

The Blind?s Needs: Airport Kiosks Accessible?

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In November last year we reported that The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) had sued United Airlines on the claim that their airport kiosks, which use touch screen technology, cannot be used by blind passengers.

Around the same, we also recounted how Italian banks had installed ATMs that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired in Rome.

However, it seems that the issue of blind people accessing Kiosks in airports is still unresolved as the NFB is suing again. This time they have filed a lawsuit against McCarran International Airport, alleging that the Las Vegas transportation hub has refused to make its ticket kiosks accessible to the visually impaired.

The claim is on behalf of four blind travellers who accuse the airport owner Clark County, of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and s federal rehabilitation act, by not providing equal services to visually impaired passengers.

Chris Danielsen, a spokesman for the federation, said: “It limits the ability of blind people to get done what they need to get done at the airport.

“Everyone else can just run up to one of these kiosks and get their stuff taken care of and blind people are still confined to consulting with airline or airport employees.”

Presently worldwide, Touch screen kiosk is used in airports as a quick and easy time-saving option for travellers to check-in to flights, print tickets and boarding passes, and select seats.

In the lawsuit, the NFB say they asked the airport officials in September 2010 to modify the kiosks so blind people could benefit from the services. The group say they never received a response.

The McCarran airport officials declined to comment on the allegations.

Touch screen technology in the business industry is ever-growing and the supply and need for them is expanding, for all passengers.