36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble

407.10 Privacy (Section-by-Section Analysis)

This proposed section would require the same degree of privacy of input and output for all individuals. For example, individuals using a speech output mode must be afforded the same degree of privacy as those using a display screen. The proposed requirement would be new to both the 508 Standards and 255 Guidelines. ATMs and Fare Vending Machines, as addressed in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines (36 CFR Part 1191, Appendix D, section 707.4), typically support compliance with this requirement by providing a handset or audio jack. Additionally, this proposed section would prohibit screens from automatically going blank when the speech function is engaged. Many people with low vision use speech output to supplement or reinforce on-screen prompts. Consequently, automatically blanking the screen would render the ICT less accessible to these users. Provision of an option for users to blank the screen, however, may be helpful to individuals who desire greater privacy.