Kiosks nationwide must now meet accessibility standards

Starting Wednesday, most venues nationwide that use automated kiosks will be required to install models accessible to people with disabilities, as part of a broad expansion of accessibility rules as such systems proliferate rapidly. Under the updated standards, barrier‑free kiosks must include voice guidance, braille or raised buttons and adjustable screens or height to help users with visual or mobility impairments, while smaller businesses that qualify for exemptions may meet the mandate with alternative measures such as assistive devices or staff support. The requirement follows a 2021 amendment to Korea’s disability discrimination law that requires reasonable accessibility accommodations in kiosk design and operation, rolled out in phases to limit the burden on businesses. The mandate first took effect in 2024 for public institutions and workplaces with 100 or more full-time employees. Last year, it was extended to businesses with fewer than 100 workers, with a one-year grace period that ends this week. “In an era when kiosks are commonplace, guaranteeing access to informationWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times