Clydesdale unveils Europe's first cash machine for people with visual impairments

28.06.2005 Getting cash from bank machines has always been a nightmare for people with visual impairments - until now.
Today Clydesdale Bank unveiled a revolutionary speaking ATM, designed specifically for the blind and partially sighted.

Clydesdale is the first bank in the UK and only one of two in Europe* to use the new software which will help transform thousands of people's lives. And the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) says that it is delighted with the development
The technology, known as Audio Lead Through was designed in partnership with Canadian software company Phoenix Interactive and NCR.
By simply plugging a set of headphones into a jack which is fitted to the front of the ATM the user is able to access the service.
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 devises 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 Gordon Matheson said: "ATM's are really difficult for blind or partially sighted people to use because all the information is displayed visually. Some people learn to use their local machines by memorizing where all the buttons are but that still doesn't help if anything goes wrong - for example if there is a message saying that the machine will only dispense £10 notes or that there are insufficient funds in the account.  And they still can't use the ATMs with different displays.
"This means that people with sight problems are denied a service that the rest of us take for granted.  When they do use ATMs they usually have to rely on other people, losing their independence and privacy in the process."
David Thorburn, Clydesdale's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are committed to delivering improved facilities and offerings to our customers and are not only really proud of this new facility but delighted to be the first in Europe to be rolling it out.
"We've planned this initiative very carefully alongside our former colleagues in Northern Bank and have consulted with visually impaired customers and staff before going live. I am confident that this technology will give people more control of their day-to-day financial transactions and look forward to hearing the feedback from everyone taking part in this pilot."
To date only one ATM, inside the bank's headquarters at 30 St Vincent Place in Glasgow, has been kitted out with the Audio Lead Through technology. The bank plans to roll out approximately four additional outdoor ATMs as part of the six-month pilot over the next few months.
There are in excess of 180,000 people registered as visually impaired in Scotland, more than 3% of the population. Nearly 80% of those are aged over 65 years. In addition, every day in the UK around 100 people begin experiencing problems with their sight. 
"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."
16 May 2005