Voice guided automated teller machines (ATM's) are being installed by Cardtronics as a result of a settlement between the company and the National Federation for the Blind. This issue was brought to my attention by a blind friend who is volunteering to check out local ATM machines for accessibility or lack of same for NFB.
She told me that the voice guided features are handled through a headphone for privacy and allow independent use of the ATM machines. Moreover an option is given to the user as to which denomination of bills he/she prefers which allows the person to know independently how to mark the bills. For example, my friend folds her $10 bills one way, her $20 bills another, so that she can tell what's in her wallet. An ATM machine that doesn't designate which bills it's dispensing results in her having to ask for assistance since current technology that allows blind users to "read" currency are still high in cost.
No comments:
Post a Comment