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What is PAS 901:2025 - Vocal accessibility in system design about?
As technology becomes ever more capable of automatically processing vocal input, PAS 901:2025 is a code of practice on the inclusive design of products and services to be vocally accessible.
Who is PAS 901:2025 - Vocal accessibility in system design for?
Users of this standard will include:
- product or service designers;
- commissioners of products, services, systems or environments;
- implementers of vocal systems, including interface designers;
- management and policy implementers;
- event designers and organizers;
- consumer groups;
- accessibility and disability advocacy groups; and
- organizations and academics with expertise in inclusive design.
What does PAS 901:2025 - Vocal accessibility in system design cover?
It provides recommendations for the design of products and services to be vocally accessible to people with diverse needs and abilities, including those who:
- Consume and control vocal content and content bundled with vocal content;
- Interact with devices and services by voice;
- Seek information by voice;
- Structure and arrange environments (see note below) where vocal services or related services, such as alternatives to vocal, are involved; and/or
- Commission products, services and environments.
- Any combination(s) of a) to e).
It covers the use of diverse languages and dialects, and fairness to consumers using diverse languages and dialects.
While PAS 901 is not intended to cover the use of sound other than vocal sound, there are needs that apply both to vocal environments and other sound environments, and there is a degree of overlap. Additionally, many systems deliver media or offer control mechanisms that can involve diverse modalities that include the vocal, so the standard gives some recommendations for such systems.
NOTE: “Environments” include terminals inside buildings and rooms; factors such as temperature, exposure to chemical solvents; physical aspects such as whether a room can be navigated to and is accessible to wheelchairs and the furniture works for wheelchairs; and external factors such as weather, traffic and routes. This is further detailed in ISO/IEC 29138-1:2018 with the needs listed under goal 4 Approachability.
Why should you use PAS 901:2025 - Vocal accessibility in system design?
- Authoritative guidance: PAS 901 gives internationally agreed expert recommendations, providing designers with authoritative guidance based on proven approaches, and reducing the risks of trial-and-error.
- Inclusivity and accessibility: PAS 901 helps designers create products and services that are usable by people with a wide range of needs and abilities. This broadens the potential user base, possibly opening new markets and increasing sales opportunities.
- Legal and ethical compliance: Increasingly, regulations and laws are mandating accessibility. PAS 901 can help aid compliance, can help minimize the risk of legal challenges, and demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices in design. It contributes to a more inclusive society where technology serves everyone equally.
- Improved usability: Drawing on the expert recommendations in PAS 901 ensures products are designed with best practices in mind. This can lead to better, more intuitive, and more empowering user experiences that increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Market differentiation and competitive advantage: By prioritizing accessibility using PAS 901, users can differentiate their products in the market, appeal to underserved segments, and enhance their brand’s reputation as socially responsible – all of which can translate into competitive advantage.
- Future-proofing: As voice processing technology continues to evolve, PAS 901 can help ensure that designs are adaptable and can integrate with new developments. It also fosters innovation by challenging designers to think creatively about how to meet diverse user needs in new and effective ways.
