The machine uses an automated voice to guide visually impaired people to the exact locations of items such as the numbers on the keypad, the cash dispenser and all other devices on the machine. It will also talk them through each stage of the process, whether they are checking balances or withdrawing cash.
RNIB's campaigns officer David Mann said: "ATMs are really difficult to use for the blind or partially sighted because all the information is displayed visually. I have learned to use my own bank's machines by memorizing where all the buttons are. But that still doesn't help me if anything goes wrong – if there are insufficient funds in my account, or if the machine is not dispensing ten pound notes, etc. And I can't use the ATMs for any other bank."
"This is therefore great news for the visually impaired – a real breakthrough for Northern Bank, and I'd call on all the other banks to follow suit."
"The service is great – there's a very thorough guide which leads you through all the functions, but after a while you are able to skip through the process very quickly."
Rosamond Bennett, marketing director of Northern said: "We're really proud of this new facility and delighted to be the first in Europe to be rolling it out. We've planned it very carefully and consulted with visually impaired customers and staff before going live with it."
To date, two ATMs have been kitted out with the new technology. One is inside the bank's Donegall Square North branch, and the other in Connswater Shopping Centre Belfast. The pilot will run for six months – and if successful the bank will consider extending the service.
The technology was developed whilst Northern Bank was still part of the National Australia Group and so it is also being piloted by its former sister bank Clydesdale in Glasgow. There are 5,000 people registered as visually impaired in Northern Ireland, but Government estimates put the true figure as high as 50,000.
"Phoenix Interactive is extremely proud to celebrate Europe's first Text-to-Speech implementation", said Ms Kyle MacDonald, CEO of Phoenix Interactive. "This enhanced functionality will open the door to new ATM users and ensure that everyone has equal and easy access to their accounts."
"As this is the first Audio ATM implementation in Europe, we're certain everyone will see the tremendous benefit it offers to all banking customers. Phoenix has already worked with many of our other clients around the world to introduce this technology in various languages.
Our Text-to-Speech technology is currently running in the US, Australia and now Europe. As Phoenix firmly supports ATM access for all, we will continue to work with our clients around the world to support Audio-enabled ATMs."
For more information please visit www.phoenix-interactive.com or call (519) 679-2913
