Taking ATM Machines for visually Impaired

     A Talking ATM is a type of automated teller machine (ATM) that provides audible instructions so that persons who cannot read an ATM screen can independently use the machine. All audible information is delivered privately through a standard headphone jack on the face of the machine or a separately attached telephone handset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     New Talking ATM machines that can ‘talk’ to customers who have difficulty reading screens have been introduced in the UK. Blind and partially sighted people can listen to speech output on more than 3,000 of the ATMs by plugging in their earphones to listen to the options being read out, The Telegraph reported. 

      Barclay's said it is the first major high street bank to provide the facility on such a mass scale up and down the country, which will also help people with dyslexia and anyone who finds it easier to listen to information rather than reading it. The facility is open to anyone who would normally be able to use the cash machines, so not just Barclays customers, and a spokesman for the bank said the technology will work with most standard earphones.

    

How to use the Talking ATM's

   Talking ATM's give you clear verbal instructions to help you through your banking transactions, and give you confirmation of your selections at each step.

Use any standard 3.5mm earpiece to listen to the instructions.

The tactile labellings at the ATM can assist you with:

• Plugging in your earpiece
• Inserting your card
• Getting your cash and receipt. 

 

 

    A Make Money Talk campaign was launched by a UK-based charity, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), last September, calling for banks in the UK to provide ATM's with audio facilities for their blind and partially sighted customers. 

 

   Fazilet Hadi, RNIB’s group director of inclusive society, said that “We are delighted that Barclays has fulfilled its commitment to our Make Money Talk campaign and become the first major bank to roll out speech enabled ATM's,” and he said that “We believe banks in the UK should provide ATM's with audio facilities for their blind and partially sighted customers, across their ATM networks,”