In a digital age, the pursuit of efficiency and speed often dominate our focus, sometimes overshadowing the broader needs of our diverse audience. Amidst this rush, it’s vital to recognize a fundamental aspect: digital accessibility. This is especially true for digital ordering systems in the hospitality industry, where ensuring inclusivity profoundly impacts the user experience (UX).
Accessibility is not just important; it is essential. At QikServe, we embrace a commitment to being accessible, inclusive, and global meaning that we go beyond mere compliance. It’s about embedding accessibility considerations in every aspect of our product.
We have collaborated with AURES, a valued partner of QikServe and global leader in POS & Digital Kiosk hardware, to prioritize accessibility in our complete kiosk ordering solution. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every customer, regardless of ability, can enjoy a seamless and inclusive kiosk ordering experience.
Why Digital Accessibility Matters in Hospitality
Digital accessibility in hospitality transcends legal requirements; it’s about empowering every individual regardless of their abilities. Digital ordering systems should accommodate users with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments to create a level playing field for all.
- Empowering Everyone: Digital ordering systems should be designed to ensure equal access and usability, enabling individuals of all abilities to benefit from the digital world.
- Enhancing User Experience: An accessible digital ordering system is a user-friendly ordering system. Features such as clear navigation, keyboard shortcuts, adjustable font sizes, and voice command options benefit all users and improve the overall experience for everyone. A seamless and intuitive interface leads to higher customer satisfaction and increased usage of your platform.
- Building Brand Reputation: Inclusivity is the cornerstone of a reputable brand. Prioritizing accessibility in your digital ordering system demonstrates your commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Customers appreciate businesses that value accessibility and are more likely to support brands that align with that principle. Plus, positive word-of-mouth regarding your accessible platform can further enhance your brand reputation.
- Meeting Legal Requirements: Accessibility isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a legal requirement. Many countries have legislations in place that mandates accessibility standards for digital services. Failing to comply with these regulations risks legal repercussions and can damage your brand’s reputation. By proactively ensuring accessibility, you avoid potential legal pitfalls and demonstrate compliance with relevant laws.
- Future-Proofing Your Business: As technology continues to evolve, so do accessibility standards and expectations. Investing in accessibility now, ensures compliance with current regulations while future-proofing your business against upcoming changes. By staying ahead of the curve, you position your brand for long-term success and relevance in a competitive landscape.
Embracing Digital Ordering Solutions
The integration of digital ordering kiosks and digital menu boards for restaurants represents a significant step in a restaurant’s digital transformation. These technologies, coupled with digital menu ordering and digital menu apps, enhance the overall dining experience. The adoption of digital food ordering systems and mobile POS solutions streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Enhancing Financial Transactions with Digital Banking Solutions
As businesses continue to evolve, the need for efficient financial transactions has led to the implementation of digital banking solutions. These solutions, along with features like open check, ensure secure and quick transactions, further enhancing the customer experience in both online and on-premises dining environments.
Future-Proofing with Kiosk Ordering Solutions for On-Premises Dining
Investing in kiosk ordering solutions for on-premise dining is crucial for future-proofing your business. By integrating kiosk ordering solutions, businesses can provide a seamless and efficient dining experience that caters to the needs of all customers, ensuring long-term success and competitiveness in the digital age.
Key Features and Considerations for Accessible Digital Ordering Systems
Creating a truly accessible digital ordering system involves considering various factors to accommodate users with disabilities, diverse language preferences, and varying needs. Here’s a breakdown of key features and considerations to ensure accessibility:
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Implement proper semantic markup and descriptive alt text for images to facilitate accurate interpretation by screen readers. Ensure that all interactive elements are keyboard accessible, allowing users to navigate the system seamlessly.
- Contrast and Color Accessibility: Use color combinations with sufficient contrast to assist users with visual impairments. Avoid relying solely on color to convey information and provide alternative visual cues where necessary. Offer options for your guests to customize color schemes or switch to high-contrast modes.
- Resizable Text and Font Choices: Provide options for users to adjust text size and font preferences according to their readability needs. Use scalable vector graphics (SVG) and relative font sizes to maintain clarity and legibility across different screen sizes and resolutions.
- Language Options: Support multiple languages to cater to diverse linguistic preferences. Allow users to easily switch between languages and provide translated versions of content, including menu items, instructions, and interface elements.
- Simple Navigation and Clear Layouts: Prioritize intuitive navigation menus and logical page structures that accommodate all users, including those with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities. Minimize clutter and distractions by maintaining consistency in layout and design elements throughout the ordering process. The menu navigation should be simplistic and fluid, guiding users seamlessly from selection to checkout. A streamlined experience is crucial; if customers struggle with convoluted menus, they may hesitate to return. Moreover, ensure the interface operates swiftly to prevent queues at digital ordering kiosks or frustration with mobile ordering. By focusing on simplicity, clarity, and efficiency, businesses can enhance user satisfaction and loyalty, fostering a positive interaction with their digital platforms.
- Location Accessibility: Ensure technology hardware, such as self-service digital ordering kiosks, is installed with consideration for accessibility. Offer various installation solutions tailored to different locations within the store or restaurant, such as fixed-height screens ergonomically positioned to accommodate all users and providing adequate spacing around the kiosk to accommodate wheelchairs comfortably, and privacy between units.
- Assistive Technology Compatibility: Test the system rigorously with a range of assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech recognition software, and magnification tools. Address any compatibility issues to ensure accessibility for all users.
By incorporating these accessibility features and considerations into the design and development of digital ordering systems, businesses can create a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all customers, regardless of their abilities, language preferences, or assistive technology requirements.
“During my tenure at AURES Technologies as Kiosk Product Manager, accessibility has consistently been a key focus of customer feedback. This critical aspect has been a primary concern, one that we have diligently monitored and strived to improve at every opportunity. Ensuring that the end-user enjoys a seamless and hassle-free customer experience (CX) when interacting with our kiosks is of utmost importance to us. Our unwavering objective is to continually adapt and enhance our kiosks, simplifying their usage, maintenance, and installation processes.” — DAVID LE GARFF, Kiosk Product Manager, AURES Technologies
Where We Come In
Software and hardware solutions are complex and fluid and always changing, and so too is our understanding of how we can make digital more accessible. At QikServe, we work closely with our customers and partners, like AURES, on accessibility, from the application of branding so it meets accessible standards, to making sure our technologies work together for all users.
Accessibility is not a feature to be added as an afterthought; it should be woven into the fabric of digital ordering systems from the outset. By prioritizing accessibility, businesses can empower users, expand their customer reach, enhance user experience, build brand reputation, meet legal requirements, and future-proof their operations. Ultimately, an accessible ordering system isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also the smart thing to do for business success in the digital age.
Get in touch with our team now to see how our digital ordering solutions can help your business thrive.