Open Forum

All,

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is in the process of developing a Virtual Access Tour of its second floor decorated rooms. The purpose of this virtual experience is to allow visitors who cannot access the second floor the opportunity to virtually visit the space. The tour is also designed for any visitor as the virtual access tour allows you to fully enter the room rather than being limited by a room barrier.

We are in the process looking for media kiosks to deliver the virtual access tour. ADA specifies that the forward or side height and reach of a kiosk or ATM should be between 15 inches and 48 inches from the ground, unless there is an obstruction, in which case the side reach is reduced to 46 inches and forward reach to 44 inches.

I want to know if ADA requires interactive elements are between 15" and 48" or that has to be the actual screen size? We have a kiosk that seems ideal, but the top height goes to 53". We plan to have all touch interactive design elements within the ADA specified guidelines. Would this be compliant with ADA guidelines?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Mark

Thank you for making sure your new kiosk is fully accessible. For audio/visuals and inter-actives, you should keep the touchable elements within the ranges you described. Forward facing interaction from a wheelchair is by far the preference, not side access. Check section IV of the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. It will explain everything clearly including specifications on making the audio and video portions fully accessible.. http://accessible.si.edu/pdf/Smithsonian%20Guidelines%20for%20accessible%20design.pdf 

All,

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is in the process of developing a Virtual Access Tour of its second floor decorated rooms. The purpose of this virtual experience is to allow visitors who cannot access the second floor the opportunity to virtually visit the space. The tour is also designed for any visitor as the virtual access tour allows you to fully enter the room rather than being limited by a room barrier.

We are in the process looking for media kiosks to deliver the virtual access tour. ADA specifies that the forward or side height and reach of a kiosk or ATM should be between 15 inches and 48 inches from the ground, unless there is an obstruction, in which case the side reach is reduced to 46 inches and forward reach to 44 inches.

I want to know if ADA requires interactive elements are between 15" and 48" or that has to be the actual screen size? We have a kiosk that seems ideal, but the top height goes to 53". We plan to have all touch interactive design elements within the ADA specified guidelines. Would this be compliant with ADA guidelines?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Mark

Hi Mark,

My company is just finishing a product for museums that might be perfect for your purpose.  It is an interactive stretch monitor on a pedestal designed for people of different heights and abilities.  It also connects to a large screen (or projector) so groups of people can view the interaction.  The prototype is done and we are going to build the first commercial model as soon as we can.  Check out our site..  www.storiesinthesky.org  

The first program we created is about constellation myths and science, but the content could be anything, including a virtual tour of your second floor.

i attached an image.  Let me know if you are interested.

Ken