EAA Exposes Accessibility Gap

Between 450,000 and 600,000 self-checkouts are running across the EU and UK today. Fewer than 30% of them work for people with disabilities. Since the European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force last June, that's no longer just an inclusion gap, it's a compliance issue.

The EAA covers everyday tech from ATMs to public transport. Self-checkouts are on that list too.

"Self-checkouts arrived in European stores in the early 2000s as a secondary option," says Evaldas Budvilaitis, Vice President of Checkout Transformation at Partner Tech. "Accessibility wasn't a priority back then, staffed checkouts were always nearby. Today, self-checkout zones dominate store layouts. That changes everything."

The real challenge: the machines already on your floor

Newer SCO generations ship with accessibility built in. But most retailers aren't buying new — they're standing in front of legacy hardware that's already installed and paid for. Ripping it out isn't an option.

That's where the EAA-Pad comes in. Developed by ANKER, part of the Partner Tech Group, the keyboard module retrofits accessibility onto existing systems: tactile keypad, audio support, flexible mounting. People with visual or motor impairments operate the checkout intuitively, no screen-guessing, no asking for help.

And because it's a USB add-on, it works with self-checkouts, kiosks and ticket terminals from any manufacturer.

"Retailers can roll it out with their existing partners, quickly and at low cost," says Budvilaitis. "In most cases, installation takes a few hours per store."

Checkout you can talk to

At EuroShop, we also showed a fully voice-controlled self-service terminal. Originally built for a restaurant chain, it lets users navigate and order entirely by voice, the whole interface delivered through audio guidance.

"It effectively acts as a voice-assisted checkout wizard," says Budvilaitis. For visually impaired customers, that turns a wall of glass into a conversation

About Partner Tech Europe

Part of the QISDA Group, Partner Tech Europe develops and manufactures POS systems, peripherals and mobile solutions. Based near Hamburg and active since 1990, the company delivers checkout technology to customers worldwide — from mobile ordering devices to compact all-in-one systems

About ANKER Group

ANKER develops and sells checkout hardware and software for the point of sale. In German-speaking food retail, 8 of the 10 largest retailers rely on ANKER products — hardware that combines decades of experience with quality and reliability.