SAN FRANCISCO -- Bank of America plans to install more than 2,500 talking ATMs in Florida and California -- its largest retail markets. The plan, reached in conjunction with the California Council of the Blind and several blind individuals, includes installations of the talking ATMs over the next three years.
Additional plans to install the ATMs in other states where Bank of America operates will be determined early next year.
The talking ATMs, developed by NCR and Diebold, will provide audible instructions to persons who cannot view information on an ATM screen, making it easier for blind users to withdraw cash, deposit money and perform other transactions. The ATMs will have audio jacks that will deliver voice information privately to protect the security of blind and low-vision users.
"We're thrilled with the collaborative effort with Bank of America and other blind individuals," said Catherine Skivers, president of the California Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind with 46 chapters throughout California. "We hope that every financial institution in the country will follow the Bank of America lead."
"We have been working with ATM manufacturers for several years on the development of this technology, and we will underscore this announcement with other initiatives to improve sight-impaired access to Bank of America," said Bill Raymond, manager, ATM Channel Strategies and Development.
Bank of America will also make information that is typically provided in written format, such as monthly account statements and product materials, available in alternative formats to persons with vision impairments and will take steps to ensure that its Web site and online banking services are accessible to blind persons whose home computers use screen readers to audibly read text on a computer screen.
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