•Braille is useful for some people, but not a total solution as the number of blind people who read Braille is very low. Tactual sensitivity reduces considerably with temperature and it is therefore less useful outdoors in cold climates.

•Training schemes in the use of the purses and the schemes they link into with clearly written instruction booklets in large print.

•The electronic purse system should be made as simple as possible and communications between the devices, terminals and the user should be direct and simple.

17.6.4 Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs)

An automated or automatic teller machine (ATM) is an electronic computerised telecommunications device that gives secure access to bank accounts without the need for a human bank teller or cashier. Some ATMs only have one function, such as cash dispensing, whereas others have multiple functions, such as cash dispensing, accepting deposits and printing statements (Anon 2006b). Braille overlays can be used to make ATMs accessible to blind and visually impaired people with some knowledge of Braille. Using overlays of this type does not require fluent Braille reading abilities, though users would need to be confident in distinguishing different numbers and some other symbols. The overlays are made of heavy stainless steel to prevent corrosion and applied with strong adhesives to prevent removal. They use both graphics and Braille to indicate the ATM functions. SysTech Displays produces versions for a number of different ATM models. A standardised layout and choice of functions for ATMs would also be helpful to many blind and visually impaired people with some vision, since this would enable them to know where to look for different functions. Standardisation of design between different ATMs would also make them easier to use by visually impaired people (Quarrie and Howarth, undated).

Audio lead through technology can be used to give speaking ATMs. The user plugs a set of personal headphones into a universal audio jack fitted to the front of the ATM. The automated voice guides visually impaired users to the exact locations of items such as numbers on the keypad and the cash dispenser. It also talks users through each stage of the process. Talking ATMs have audio-jacks, whereas nontalking ATMs do not. Some talking ATMs have keys marked in Braille and others have a raised dot on the number 5 key to orient users. At least some talking ATMs in the USA are identified by Braille signage and a tactile headset symbol. The technology has been available at least since the late 1990s, though there has been little evidence of its use until very recently.

The Royal Bank of Canada in Ottawa, Canada installed the world’s first talking ATM in 1997 because of issues raised by two blind customers with the bank since 1984. However only 50 talking ATMs had been installed in Canada by the summer of 2001. In the USA, Wells Fargo agreed to install a talking ATM at all of its ATM locations in Canada in a legal settlement with blind community leaders and has subsequently installed talking ATMs at all ATM locations in all states. Bank One had installed more than 1000 talking ATMs in the US by February 2004 and Bank