News

Kiosk navigation keyboard aids visually impaired travelers

August 4, 2016

At the National Federation of the Blind Conference, delegates got to try out a keyboard for a kiosk navigation solution for the blind called EZ-Access. Blind delegates got to try out the regular EZ-Access keypad and the new smaller EZ-Access KeyBar, and they selected the latter as their keyboard of choice, according to a press release.

The KeyBar was designed by The Trace Research & Development Center and Storm Interface and features audio descriptions of the information and options on the kiosk. The KeyBar itself can be used to navigate up or down through the various options and pages on the kiosk.

Delegates at the conference preferred the KeyBar for its linear horizontal layout, which made it easier to understand audio instructions to each of the button's locations. The bright lights on the key helped those with partial vision find them, and the distinctive shapes and symbols acted as the main identifying factor for each button.

The KeyBar's horizontal design makes it easier to place it directly below a display screen or mounted to the surface of an enclosure. It can be connected to a kiosk with a USB cable, and when not in use, all buttons on the device turn into a soft white color on a silver and black bar.

Storm Interface plans to roll out the KeyBar for sale in early 2017, according to the release.