Katarzyna Petru
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – a groundbreaking law that transformed the landscape of public spaces, workplaces, and digital platforms in the USA, guaranteeing rights for individuals with disabilities. This anniversary heralds a new wave of innovation in the B2B technology segment, particularly evident in self-service kiosks found in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, transportation hubs, and stores.
LG Electronics is one of the leaders of this change, presenting the second generation of self-service kiosks, designed from the ground up with the needs of individuals with visual, mobility, and hearing disabilities in mind. Created in collaboration with Tech for All experts and consulted directly with users, the devices aim to ensure equality, independence, and a sense of dignity during every interaction.
Accessibility from the Project, Not as an Add-On
Unlike many older solutions that required costly and late modifications, LG kiosks were designed with the inclusion of all users from the very beginning. They come in various configurations – including with a height adjustable electrically – and offer, among other things, , voice navigation, and full compatibility with screen readers. This makes them accessible to both wheelchair users and those who are blind or hard of hearing.
As Michael O’Hare, the Director of Systems Accessibility at Tech for All, notes:
“It’s essential to consider accessibility from the start. If something needs to be fixed at the final stage, it’s usually too late and too expensive. LG avoided these pitfalls by creating a solution that truly works for everyone.”
Common Standards Instead of Sole Efforts
LG is not limited to hardware. The company co-chairs the Kiosk Manufacturer Association's Accessibility Committee, where it collaborates with other industry players on common standards. Kiosks support a range of assistive technologies, including:
JAWS® for Kiosk from Vispero,
AudioNav™ from Storm Interface,
SoundHound AI voice interface.
On the horizon are additional accessories, such as cameras for additional features, which will further expand their capabilities.
This approach is well-aligned with LG's ESG vision – Better Life for All. The accessibility strategy encompasses not only kiosks but also audio description instructions for home appliances, integrations with voice assistants, and thoughtful design across the entire product portfolio.
ADA 35 Years Later: From Compliance to Real Empowerment
The ADA created the foundation for accessibility in the USA. Today, it is technology companies like LG that are building additional layers on top of it – so that accessibility is a natural part of everyday life for millions of people around the world.
For LG, this is not just about fulfilling legal obligations. It is primarily a source of innovation. As Peter Kim, the leader of the B2B Strategic Alliances team at LG Electronics USA, emphasizes:
“Technology should empower everyone. By embedding accessibility into the DNA of these kiosks, we deliver solutions that are truly inclusive and give people a sense of agency.”
