Over 57 million Americans are living with a disability. These include hearing, visual, cognitive, and ambulatory impairments. At Luxer One, we know that many of our users will need special assistance to retrieve their packages from our lockers, which is why our electronic package lockers are designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Our mission is to relentlessly improve how the world receives goods, and that includes our fans across the spectrum of ability. That's why we're introducing the “Locker Accessibility Initiative.” This effectively enables all users to easily pick up packages from the Luxer One smart locker systems at over 4,500 locations. The initiative includes accommodations for users with visual, hearing, cognitive, or physical limitations. Through the use of the features we discuss below, we aim to make package pickup quick and easy for everyone.
Luxer One provides smart locker solutions for multifamily, university, office and retail. Want to learn how we can help you manage your package problems? Reach out to a member of our team here.
1. Vision
With Luxer One’s Assistive Controller, users with visual impairments or sight loss can experience locker-based pickup of goods. This combination speech output system and tactile interface allows for universal navigation of the Luxer One lockers.
The tactile interface makes it easier than ever to navigate the system. This is the same type of design you would see at many bank ATMs, airport kiosks, and many other familiar locations. It uses large arrow keys as well as a select button in the middle that are easy to learn for new users.
Using a standard headphone jack, any user can activate the text-to-speech system, which allows for full functionality of the Luxer One system without the use of visuals. Our system will automatically use voice prompts to guide the user through their package pickup in combination with the tactile interface.
This module is endorsed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and has been rigorously tested by visually impaired individuals in our very own pilot trials. It's also designed to be compliant with the 2013 Rehabilitation Act designating requirements for automated kiosks.
The new Luxer One mobile app, currently in beta, also provides access to users with visual impairments if the Luxer One Assistive Controller is not available. The iOS and Android mobile app is designed to take full advantage of the accessibility features provided by those devices, including full screen readability. Many visually impaired users will already be familiar with using the screen readable accessibility features on their devices, which means a program's digital text can be read aloud.
2. Hearing
The Luxer One interface built into our lockers is also designed to be used without the need for audio cues. Anyone can have the full pickup experience without needing to hear prompts or clicks. To pick up a package, we use a simple six-digit code that is emailed or texted to the resident, or even a QR code that can be scanned. While visually impaired users may opt for the audio cue functionality listed above, our hearing impaired users can easily use the package lockers without special feature additions. These users can also use the Luxer One mobile app to pick up packages straight from their own phone, instead of interacting with the locker screen.
3. Cognitive
Software simplicity is key to making any technology easy to use for everyone. Added steps can add complexity, so we've simplified package pickup to three easy steps:
First, the user scans their pickup code at the locker screen.
Second, they sign their name.
Third, they pick up their package from the locker that opens.
It's as simple as that! The user doesn't need to track which locker their package is in, because the system will only open the one that contains their item. If additional help is ever needed, our renowned support team is available 24/7 to answer phone calls or email inquiries.
4. Mobility
For residents in a wheelchair, it's important that they can reach the screen and the locker with ease, and without asking for help from someone else. Our accessibility features for these individuals are built right into the locker hardware, starting with the placement of the touchscreen.
The touchscreen interface is placed below 48 inches from the ground, so the user can easily use it without reaching. They can also use the mobile app to open their locker. In addition, using their Luxer One account accessed on our website, residents can edit their accessibility settings and elect to have their items delivered only to the ADA-designated lockers between 15-48" off the ground.
The process for this is automatic too, so there is no room for human error when a package is being delivered. When a carrier is delivering a package, our system will know if the resident has selected this accessibility feature and only allow deliveries to these select lockers. This way, they never have to worry about reaching too far for their package.
At Luxer One, our goal has always been to make package pickup a joy for users of all walks of life. With our specially designed assistive technology features built into the “Locker Accessibility Initiative”, we aim to bring that joy to your community and everyone it serves.
Luxer One provides smart locker solutions for multifamily, university, office and retail. Want to learn how we can help you manage your package problems? Reach out to a member of our team here.
