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Tomorrow, 3rd December, is the “International Day of People with Disability”, an annually recurring initiative of the United Nations (UN). This year's theme – “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want” – draws attention to the sustainability objectives that are meant to contribute to achieving a more inclusive world for disabled people. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe (Konica Minolta) attaches huge importance to the accessibility of all its bizhub multifunctional systems (MFP) and thus already applied the “Universal Design” principle years ago, making the devices fully available and easy to use for everyone.
“Know one, operate many”
Konica Minolta is developing its systems and solutions in the spirit of “know one, operate many”. This means users, once they have already mastered the operation of a particular system, can easily use another bizhub device or other device configurations. People spend a lot of time at work, and so it makes sense that technology and infrastructure should provide everyone with the opportunity to work independently, including people with disabilities.
Universal design
The European directive EN 301 549-M376, which specifies the “European accessibility requirements for public procurement of goods and services in the field of ICT”, became effective for all companies earlier this year. Konica Minolta Business Solutions did not wait for its official introduction. By way of example, the company has applied the “Universal Design” principle to its MFPs years ago, making the devices fully available and easy to use for everyone. Whenever developing a new bizhub multifunctional system, Konica Minolta always ensures that everyone working in an office will find it easy and convenient to use. This means the essential aspects of usability, accessibility and handling are to be considered in the design of every new bizhub.
In order to make the operation of touch screens easier for people with visual impairments, Konica Minolta offers several solutions. For example, the “PageScope Mobile” printing app can be operated with the native voice guidance of mobile devices for unhindered access to all the functionalities of bizhub MFPs. In addition, Konica Minolta provides an electrostatic polyester film that covers the touch screen to position Braille points precisely, corresponding to the copying, scan and fax functionality over the locations of these key features on the screen. All bizhub products are equipped with a large and logically structured touch screen that is easy to operate and in which the letters, numbers and error messages can be enlarged up to 16 times for improved readability.
For people with impaired mobility, Konica Minolta has efficient solutions as well. The touch screen panel display of the MFP – up to 10.1” wide – can be tilted for easy operation by wheelchair users. In addition, office users with mobility problems can download a free app known as bizhub Remote Access, with which the display can be operated from an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet. An optional assist handle makes it easy to lift the document feeder, even from a seated position.
For more information about Konica Minolta’s Universal Design:
https://www.konicaminolta.eu/en/business-solutions/products/universal-design.html
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan, forming part of its Business Technologies business area. As a leading global services provider in the field of IT- and document processes as well as digital production printing solutions the company excels in services-led business consulting, implementation and management and provides a range of world-leading printing systems and solutions. In this context, Konica Minolta’s Optimized Print Services concept (OPS) combines consultancy, hardware, software implementation, and operation in order to enhance business process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To support customers optimally with powerful and sustainable solutions, technology leader Konica Minolta continuously invests in research and development work and regularly sets new standards.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With over 35,000 employees around the world (as of March 2016), Konica Minolta’s Business Technologies business area earned net sales of over EUR 6.2 billion in financial year 2015/16.
For further information about the company, please visit: www.konicaminolta.eu.
Product images are available at: www.konicaminolta-images.eu.
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