Displays and software · For principals, librarians and technology coordinators
An accessible touchscreen kiosk starts with settings and clear content
Visitors on the touchscreen can turn on larger text and reduced motion. The rest is in how you write and design: describe photos in words, choose readable colors and keep summaries short and plain.
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What is an accessible touchscreen kiosk?
An accessible touchscreen kiosk is an interactive screen that more visitors can read and use comfortably, through settings like larger text and reduced motion, readable colors, described photos and plain writing, in places such as a school lobby or library. HistoryShowcase gives visitors larger text and reduced motion settings on the touchscreen, while schools choose colors in the design editor and write captions and summaries.
Updated
- Made for
- Principals, librarians and technology coordinators
- Where schools put it
- Main lobby, Library, Online
- Layouts
- Timeline, Honors ledger, Profiles
- Visitors can filter by
- Year
- Cost
- Free to use. No payment details required.
Not every visitor reads the screen the same way
A grandparent without reading glasses, a student who gets dizzy from moving backgrounds, a parent still learning English: a touchscreen in a busy lobby serves all of them. Small text, constant animation and photos with no explanation turn some visitors away before they tap anything.
HistoryShowcase gives visitors settings on the touchscreen, including larger text and reduced motion, so they can adjust the display for themselves. Your content does the rest. Describe what is in important photos in the caption or summary, choose design colors with clear contrast between text and background, and write short summaries in plain language. Then test it with a few real visitors.
How does an accessible touchscreen kiosk compare with a printed wall display?
| What matters | Printed wall display | HistoryShowcase |
|---|---|---|
| Text size | Fixed when printed | Visitors can turn on larger text |
| Motion | None; it stays still | Reduced motion setting for visitors |
| Photo descriptions | Captions if someone wrote them | Captions and summaries you write in words |
| Finding one name | Scan the whole board | Search by name |
| Reading at home | Only in the building | Published web address on visitors’ own devices |
What makes a kiosk easier to use
Larger text
Visitors can turn on larger text on the touchscreen when the default size is hard to read.
Reduced motion
Visitors can reduce motion when moving elements are distracting or uncomfortable.
Photos described in words
Say who and what is in key photos, such as “The 1962 team on the old gym steps,” in the caption or summary.
Readable colors
In the design editor, pick school colors that keep text clearly readable against its background. Check from a few steps back.
Plain, short summaries
Lead each profile with a two-sentence summary in everyday words, and put the details in the biography.
Clear collection names
“Hall of Fame” and “Class Photos” beat clever names. Visitors should know what a tap will open.
A clear, calm structure
Fewer choices are easier for everyone. Keep the home screen short and use layouts with plenty of space.
Your siteOur School
- Our HistoryTimeline
Milestones with described photos and short summaries.
- Honor RollHonors ledger
Clean rows of names and years, easy to scan with larger text.
- PeopleProfiles
Plain-language summaries first, details in the biography.
Visitors can narrow it by
- Year
How do you set up an accessible touchscreen kiosk?
Try the visitor settings yourself
On the touchscreen, turn on larger text and reduced motion to see how your content looks with each.
Review colors and captions
In the design editor, choose colors with strong contrast. Then go through key photos and describe them in words.
Test with real visitors
Ask a few students, staff and grandparents to find something specific, watch where they hesitate, and adjust before publishing changes.
Where should an accessible kiosk go?
- Main lobbyWhere the widest range of visitors, young and old, will use it.
- LibraryStudents can explore at their own pace.
- OnlineThe published web address lets visitors also explore at home on their own devices.
Accessible kiosk questions
What accessibility settings do visitors have?
Visitor settings on the touchscreen include larger text and reduced motion, so people can adjust the display for themselves while they browse.
Does the software make our kiosk accessible on its own?
The settings help, but accessibility also depends on your content and setup. Describe photos in words, choose readable colors, write plainly, and test with real visitors.
How do we describe photos?
Say who is pictured, what is happening and when, in the caption or summary. “Coach Ellis with the 1985 relay team after the final” tells everyone what the photo shows.
Can we reduce animation for everyone?
Yes. The design editor lets you set motion for the whole display, and visitors can also turn on reduced motion themselves.
Related ideas
Make the screen welcoming to every visitor
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