Fibank (First Investment Bank) has successfully implemented voice menus in some of their ATMs to help blind people withdraw money. The service is available on the bank’s 60 devices located at key locations in major cities. The innovation is in line with best global banking practices to make everyday banking easier for the visually impaired.
ATMs provide audio instructions so people who cannot read the menus can operate the machine unaided, using only the numeric keypad below the screen. The information is provided via a headset (customer’s own), which is plugged into a socket on the front of the device. Each transaction step is explained so that the visually impaired can take full advantage of the ATMs. Fibank’s long-term goal is for every new ATM to have this functionality.
A similar trend can be seen in highly developed countries, where ATMs for the blind are being installed by major international banks such as Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America, Royal Bank of Canada and others.
