STRATEGIC PARTNERS
June 4, 2000
SAN FRANCISCO -- Bank of America announced that its first 15 talking ATMs, of the 1,600 the bank plans to put in California, are now operating. The first cities to receive the machines are: San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Westminster, Berkeley, Oakland, Woodland Hills and West Covina. The machines 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 have audio jacks that deliver spoken instructions privately to protect the security of blind and low-vision users. Bank of America, in conjunction with the California Council of the Blind and several blind individuals, announced its decision in March to install talking ATMs at each ATM location throughout its national network. Over the next three years, more than 2,500 talking ATMs will be installed in California and Florida -- the first states to get the machines. "In addition to serving our blind or low-vision customers with talking ATMs, we are striving to make printed information such as bank statements available in alternative formats, and we are working towards making our Web site accessible to persons with vision impairments," said Bill Raymond, manager, ATM Channel Strategies and Development. "We congratulate Bank of America on bringing these talking ATMs on line so quickly," said Catherine Skivers, president of the California Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. For more information about talking ATMs, customers may contact Bank of America at 1-800-ENABLEU.
