COAT advocates for accessibility and usability of technology for people with disabilities. Enacting the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA) was a huge step forward and we are working to implement this new law. COAT’s overall aim is to ensure accessibility, usability, and affordability of all broadband, wireless, and Internet technologies for people with disabilities.
Best Buy Stores Add Tactile Keypads to make Check Out Easier for Shoppers with Vision Disabilities
March 31, 2010. COAT commends Best Buy stores for adding tactile keypads to improve the checkout experience for customers with visual impairments. Tactile keypads, added to point-of-sale devices, enable shoppers who cannot read information on a touch screen to privately and independently enter their personal identification number (PIN) in order to protect their financial privacy. The keypads will be installed in all Best Buy stores by September 30, 2010.
The announcement was praised greatly by three COAT affiliates, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), American Council of the Blind (ACB), and California Council of the Blind (CCB).
“I congratulate Best Buy, a premiere retailer of electronic and entertainment products, for recognizing the privacy and security needs of its customers who are blind or visually impaired,” said Jeff Thom, CCB president.
His thoughts were echoed by Brad Hodges, a blind Best Buy shopper in West Virginia and an AFB technology expert: “Flat-screen point-of-sale devices leave blind customers using a PIN-based payment card at risk for identity theft. Every retailer in the country should follow Best Buy’s example to ensure that customers who are blind or visually impaired can independently enter our PIN and other confidential information when paying for products and services.”
Keys on the device resemble a standard telephone keypad and work in conjunction with Best Buy’s point of sale terminals. All Best Buy stores in California already have the new devices, as do many other stores across the chain.
“We are pleased to collaborate with organizations committed to advocacy for the blind and introduce service enhancements in our stores that will improve the experience for Best Buy’s visually impaired customers,” said Barry Judge, Best Buy executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
Read Best Buy Point of Sale Agreement, negotiated with the disability organizations and facilitated by the law firm of Lainey Feingold & Linda Darderian.
Closed Caption button on remote.