Accessibility
Making a Touchscreen Hall of Fame ADA Compliant: A Practical Checklist
By TouchHall · Updated · 6 min read
A hall of fame is supposed to be for everyone. Touchscreens can be more accessible than plaques, but only if the hardware and the software are both planned for it. This checklist covers what to ask any vendor.
Mounting and reach
The 2010 ADA Standards set an unobstructed forward reach range of 15 to 48 inches above the floor. Mount the screen so its interactive controls fall inside that range, or use software that can pull controls down into it on demand.
- Operable parts between 15 and 48 inches from the floor
- Clear floor space of 30 by 48 inches in front of the kiosk
- Wall-mounted units protruding no more than 4 inches if their leading edge is above 27 inches
Visual accessibility
Text should meet WCAG contrast ratios of at least 4.5:1, and the interface should offer a larger-text mode. Avoid information conveyed by color alone, like red for boys' records and blue for girls'.
Media
Every inductee video needs captions. Speeches recorded at induction ceremonies should be transcribed, which also makes them searchable.
The web version matters most
The most accessible touchscreen is the one visitors can also use on their own device with their own assistive technology. Make sure your digital hall of fame has a public web version that works with screen readers and keyboard navigation.
Questions to ask a vendor
Ask for specifics, not a checkbox that says 'ADA compliant'.
- Which WCAG version and level does the interface target?
- Is there a reach mode for seated users?
- Are videos captioned automatically or manually?
- Can a screen reader navigate the web version?
- Has the product had an independent accessibility audit?