HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 542 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG.
3039H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
WHEREAS, people who are blind or who have low vision will not have truly equal 2 access to all benefits of society unless accessible technology is available in all areas of daily 3 life, including in self-service kiosks and point-of-sale devices, such as table-side card readers 4 at restaurants; and 5 6 WHEREAS, self-service kiosks and devices, which can now be found at places as 7 varied as fast-food outlets, banks, pharmacies, and airports, are often not operable by people 8 who are blind or who have low vision; and 9 10 WHEREAS, without accessible options, people who are blind or who have low 11 vision lose their independence and are forced to rely on assistance for tasks that they could 12 complete easily on their own; and 13 14 WHEREAS, incorporating into self-service kiosks or devices accessible technology, 15 such as screen readers, tactile keypads, voice navigation, or larger, high-contrast screens, 16 would empower millions to make payments, check into flights, fill prescriptions, and 17 complete other daily tasks without needing to ask for help; and 18 19 WHEREAS, accessible payment systems at tables in restaurants would allow all 20 customers to enjoy their dining experience equally, with the freedom to make payments 21 privately and independently; and 22 23 WHEREAS, the adoption of accessible technology demonstrates not only compliance 24 with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act but also a commitment to inclusion 25 and accessibility for all patrons; and 26 27 WHEREAS, many manufacturers have already created accessible options that 28 businesses can adopt with relative ease: 29 HR 542 2
30 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Missouri 31 House of Representatives, One Hundred Third General Assembly, First Regular Session, 32 hereby urge businesses to incorporate accessible technology into all self-service kiosks or 33 devices to ensure equal access by people who are blind or who have low vision. ✔