A mandate for "barrier-free kiosks," unmanned information terminals that people with disabilities and older adults can use to order without inconvenience, will take full effect on the 28th. It is an institutional measure to ensure that socially vulnerable people can use unmanned information terminals in digital environments without discrimination.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that, starting today, the obligation to install and operate barrier-free kiosks will be fully enforced under the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and Remedies against Infringement of their Rights.
An unmanned information terminal is a device that displays information on a screen or handles ordering and payment, and a barrier-free kiosk is characterized by functions such as voice output, sign language guidance, and adjustable screen height.
Under the enforcement decree, starting today, if a store with a floor area of 50㎡ or more operates an unmanned information terminal, it must install a device that meets barrier-free standards. It must also provide a device that gives voice guidance on the kiosk's location. Failure to comply constitutes discrimination against persons with disabilities and may result in fines of up to 30 million won.
However, in consideration of expense burdens, stores of 50㎡ or less, small business owners, and stores using table-type kiosks are exempt. Instead, they must provide assistive devices or ensure support staff or call bells are available.
In response to continued criticism that this is an "excessive regulation," the Ministry of Health and Welfare said it is "a system to guarantee information access rights for persons with disabilities," adding, "In the initial phase, we will apply administrative dispositions flexibly."
The ministry will share operating directions with central ministries and local governments to prevent regional installation standards from diverging excessively, and will continue to identify and address on-site difficulties. It held a central–local cooperation meeting and distributed installation and operation guidelines, and plans to promote public awareness and on-site adoption of the system in cooperation with relevant ministries and private-sector experts.
Lee Seu-ran, first vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "Guaranteeing information access rights is a basic right," adding, "We will ensure the system takes root stably in the field so that persons with disabilities do not experience inconvenience in daily life."