ATMs for the Blind, visible finally

MUMBAI: Diebold India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diebold, Incorporated, have showcased its latest automated teller machines (ATMs), tailored to the Indian marketplace, that enable the disabled to bank with ease at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.

The Xavier's Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), a support and advocacy unit within St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, has worked closely with the banking sector and has interfaced actively with Diebold, one of the largest ATM manufacturers in India, to create standards which shall make ATMs accessible for visually challenged users.

Diebold is now ready for testing the ATMs at the XRCVC. These test results will be used for feedback purposes and up-scaling into final deployment, says a press release.

Key features that Diebold has designed into its ATMs toward enhancing the usability and accessibility of its products for the visually and physically challenged include features like incorporation of American Disabilities Act (ADA) wheelchair accessibility standards, large display for users with partial vision, Braille-enabled function keys and guide labels for other functionalities including card reader, receipt, cash dispenser, depositor, Bunch cash presenter for ease in collecting cash, personalized headphone jack with voice control features, voice guidance for ease of transactions, integrated digital video recorder for enhanced security and ergonomically designed for easy accessibility.

Dr. Sam Taraporevala, director, XRCVC, said: "It is a well-known fact that ATMs today have increased convenience banking for the able-bodied customers. For the same effect to take place involving disabled people, ATMs will need

to scale to meet accessibility standards. The ATM industry, as well as the banking industry all over the world, has made accessibility an inherent part of its production and deployment. We are happy that Diebold has invested its

time and technology by taking this leadership initiative in the ATM industry."

Access to financial services has become a key criterion to independent living in the rapidly globalising world. In the last couple of years people with disabilities in India have seen forward-looking legislations at the central government level and the banking industry in their favour.

The Reserve Bank of India through its circulars in June 2008, "Banking Facilities for the Visually Challenged," and the circular on 13th April 2009, "Need for Bank Branches/ATMs to be made accessible to persons with disabilities," has made its commitment to the disabled population of India for financial accessibility.

So do you think this will open the eyes of the industry to a segment’s needs and business potential, that may be it was so far, well, blind to?

Are there any other industries that still stay handicapped in that sense? Share here.