[News Today] Kiosks for disabled still unprepared

[LEAD]
Self-service kiosks are now a common sight at restaurants and cafes.

Starting next month, accessibility-friendly kiosks will become mandatory, backed by heavy fines.

But many small business owners say they are largely unprepared, raising concerns of confusion on the ground.

[REPORT]
This is a kiosk for people with disabilities.

It has a braille plate and voice support.

The screen content can also be made lower, mindful of those with physical disabilities.

Do Sung-hee / Restaurant owner
If the law changes, then we have to follow.
They were in fact expensive.

Such kiosks cost about double those of standard machines.

Amid concerns over the burden on small businesses, the government eased related regulations last month.

Exceptions are granted for small establishments or those where ordering devices are prepared on tables.

The problem is what follows next.

This doesn't mean there is nothing more to do.

If venues don't have a specialized kiosk for disabled people,
they must install a supplementary device to existing kiosks.

Or have a call bell or support staff for assistance.

At least one of these three measures is mandatory and no exceptions are allowed in this case even for small business owners.

These rules will become compulsory on January 28, but few self-employed people are aware of the changes.

Kim Ryung-hee / Cafe owner
I'm not aware of it.
It's the first time I'm hearing from you right now.

Also, detailed specifications on the supplementary device and call bell have yet to be determined.

Even the manufacturers of these products do not know.

Gang Seung-gyu / Kiosk manufacturer
We don't know what to do, whether simply installing a call bell is enough, or what features are actually needed.

Those who violate rules on kiosks for disabled people will face fines of up to 30 million won, or over 20-thousand dollars.

It is a very strict regulation, but the case with paper straws showed what happens when even well-intentioned policies are poorly prepared.

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