LONDON -- The UK's Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE), supported by the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) and a steering group comprised of ATM manufacturers and installers, has published the "2002 Access to ATMs," a set of guidelines designed to help ATM owners meet their legal duties to make their machines more accessible.
Much like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, the issue of accessibility at ATMs is addressed in the UK's Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The CAE guidelines are an effort to help ATM deployers comply with accessibility issues covered by the DDA, according to a news release.
Funded by major banks, building societies and ATM manufacturers, the CAE's 2002 guidelines are based on new ergonomic research, according to the release. They are an enhanced version of the original 1999 version, which was used by several other countries as a basis to develop their own recommendations.
The 2002 edition, launched at a British Bankers' Association briefing on April 16, contains research-based information on the design and installation of ATMs; an experimental trial procedure for assessing the usability of existing machines; extensive diagrams showing reach contours; and a section on the DDA.
The guidelines have the approval of the Disability Rights Commission, the body responsible for the civil rights of disabled people, and are identified in the new British Standard on access, BS 8300:2001, as the authoritative reference on cash machines.
Chris Pearson, chief executive of APACS, said in the news release that it is "crucial to APACS' member banks and building societies that the delivery of financial services to all customers is as easy and user-friendly as possible."
The CAE, a registered charity, provides information, design guidance, training and consultancy on designing products for accessibility.
The guidelines are available from the CAE and cost £20 including postage and handling in the UK. For a copy please contact: Centre for Accessible Environments, Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NY.
