Beginning with public, educational, medical, and financial institutions from the end of January next year, ‘unmanned information terminals (kiosks)’ will be accessible to wheelchairs and provide Braille blocks or voice guidance.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the ‘Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and Remedies for Rights, etc.’, which allows the disabled and the elderly to use kiosks and mobile apps more easily, was passed at the Cabinet meeting on the 28th.
This revision is intended to enable providers and providers of application software installed in kiosks or mobile communication terminals to provide legitimate convenience necessary for disabled persons to access and use on an equal basis with non-disabled persons in stages.
Meanwhile, kiosks subject to this application are devices that display information on the screen electronically, such as unmanned ticketing machines, unmanned ordering machines, unmanned payment machines, and comprehensive information systems, such as touch screens, or process document issuance, ordering, and payment.
The kiosk is a product that complies with the accessibility verification standards according to the notification related to the Ministry of Science and ICT, and must be installed and operated to provide legitimate convenience considering inconveniences according to the type of disability.
Therefore, for the disabled using a wheelchair, it is necessary to secure a space for a wheelchair accessible and a wheelchair footrest, or install an assistive device or software to recognize information on the kiosk screen and enable physical manipulation without securing a separate space.
Also, for the visually impaired, braille blocks should be installed on the front or voice guidance should be provided.
Communication means according to the type of disability, that is, a relay means to communicate with the operator through sign language, text, voice, etc.
However, in the case of small-scale facilities with a total floor area of less than 50 square meters, auxiliary means to remotely control the kiosk through a mobile app, etc., are provided without replacing the entire device.
If measures are provided to help disabled people use the kiosk because there is a permanent support staff, it is deemed to have provided legitimate convenience under the law.
On the other hand, technology that can read the text on the kiosk screen by voice through a mobile app with a voice reading function after connecting the mobile phone owned by an individual with the kiosk to be used by utilizing the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions of the current user’s mobile phone is in the commercialization stage. is in
In addition, without securing the height adjustment function of the kiosk, by adding only the auxiliary interface and software, the convenience needed for use by the disabled can be provided, and in this case, the cost can be much lower than replacing the terminal entirely.
Accordingly, the amendment to the Enforcement Decree will be divided into three stages according to the type and size of the target institution, taking into consideration the preparation period of the target institution and the applicability of the field, and will be implemented first by public institutions and sequentially implemented by the private sector according to size.
From January 28 of next year, the first phase is applied to public, educational, medical, financial institutions and mobile and transportation facilities, and from July 28 of the same year, the second phase is applied to culture and arts businesses, welfare facilities, and business owners with 100 or more employees. do.
From January 28, 2025, the third stage includes tourism operators and business owners with less than 100 regular employees, and facilities with a floor area of less than 50㎡ are considered to have provided legitimate convenience if separate measures are taken, such as providing auxiliary means.
However, for kiosks installed before last January 28, the effective date of this Act, related obligations apply from January 28, 2026, and for kiosks installed after the effective date of the Act but already installed before the effective date of the revised Act, January 2026 From the 28th, related obligations apply.
Mobile apps are application software loaded on mobile devices such as smartphones, smart pads, and smart watches, and, like kiosks, they must comply with accessibility compliance design guidelines according to the notice.
Mobile apps should provide information on whether the disabled comply with accessibility guidelines before purchase or installation, explanatory information necessary for installation and use, and services that enable communication through sign language, text, voice, etc. in case of problems.
As with unmanned information terminals, the application period is divided into 3 stages, and public institutions are implemented first, and the private sector is implemented sequentially according to the scale.
However, considering the preparation period of the relevant industry, the regulation will be applied within 6 months from the effective date for mobile apps distributed before the effective date of the revised law.
Yeom Min-seop, director of disability policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “As kiosks and unmanned stores are expanding at a rapid pace recently, we hope that this revision will solve the inconveniences in daily life of not only the disabled but also the elderly, who have had difficulties using devices. do,” he said.
“Considering the business conditions and cost burden of the private sector, the scope of application was expanded step by step, and alternatives were prepared, such as preparing exceptions for small businesses,” he explained.
He added, “The government plans to promote briefing sessions jointly with related ministries such as the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure there is no confusion in the stable implementation of the system and the application of related laws.”
Inquiries: Disability Rights Support Division, Disability Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare (044-202-3301)
