Talking ATMs Will Aid Persons with Vision Impairments.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. First Union National Bank today announced the first
installation of audio-assisted or "talking" ATMs in Maryland, New
Jersey and North Carolina. The effort, hailed by the blindness community,
includes the installation of 19 audio-assisted ATMs in those states, as well as
in Pennsylvania, Florida and Washington, DC. In the next nine months, more than
100 machines will be installed in these states and other First Union locations.
First Union National Bank and Wachovia Bank, N.A., are banking subsidiaries
of the holding company Wachovia Corporation. Wachovia Corporation was created
through the September 1, 2001 merger of First Union Corporation and Wachovia
Corporation.
"First Union is excited to offer audio-assisted ATMs throughout our
markets," said Cece Sutton, executive vice president and Retail Banking
Executive for Wachovia Corporation. "Supporters of the blindness community
have been terrific partners in our quest to provide banking independence to our
customers with vision impairments. Through the installation of audio-assisted
ATMs, we are able to offer visually impaired customers greater convenience in
accessing their First Union accounts."
Today's announcement also was praised by members of the blindness community,
who worked closely with the company in developing this new technology.
"We applaud First Union's demonstrated commitment to improving banking
accessibility for blind and visually impaired people," said Pat Yarborough,
a representative of the North Carolina Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the
American Council of the Blind who has been actively involved in the initiative.
During the next nine months, First Union plans to enhance select ATMs to
include audio-assistance functionality (see list of locations at the end of the
release). These machines will offer audio guidance and instructions for all
transactions, including "spoken" customer balances. The ATMs also will
be equipped with universal audio jacks that work with standard earphones.
Customers with vision impairments will be provided with headsets so they can
hear the instructions in privacy. When the earphones are plugged into the jack,
the listener hears private audio instructions for transactions displayed on the
ATM screen, such as cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, deposits, transfers and
payments.
Other representatives of the blindness community assisting First Union
include the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania; the Orange County
Disability Awareness Council of Chapel Hill, N.C.; the Pennsylvania Council for
the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind; and other people
who are blind or have low vision.
Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian, two California lawyers who have assisted
members of the blindness community around the country said, "the expanded
First Union services will benefit the blindness community as well as all persons
who have difficulty reading standard print."
Tom Earle, with the Disabilities Law Project in Philadelphia, praised First
Union for the initiative. "I urge other financial institutions to follow
its example in providing independent access for all customers to a wide array of
banking services," said Earle.
More information can be obtained by calling 1-800-ASK-FUNB or by visiting the
First Union website at www.firstunion.com.
Wachovia Corporation, created through the September 1, 2001, merger of First
Union Corporation and Wachovia Corporation with pro forma assets of $322 billion
as of June 30, is a leading provider of financial services to 19 million retail
and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company
operates full-service banking offices in 11 East Coast states and Washington,
D.C., and offers full-service brokerage with offices in 47 states and global
services through more than 30 international offices.
Press Contacts:
First Union
Sarah Holden, (704) 383-7157
For Blind Community
Linda Dardarian, (510) 763-9800, Saperstein, Goldstein, Demchak and Baller,
ldar@sgdblaw.com
Lainey Feingold, (510) 848-8125, mailto:lfeingold@california.net
Tom Earle, Disability law Project (215) 238-8070, #209
LOCATIONS OF FIRST UNION'S AUDIO ASSISTED ATMs:
District of Columbia:
Washington1510 K St. NW
Florida:
Coral Springs 3300 University Dr.
Lake Worth 120 N. Dixie Highway
Naples 6155 Town Center Circle
Tampa 10430 Highland Manor Dr.
Maryland:
Baltimore7 St. Paul Street
North Carolina
Charlotte: 301 S. Tryon St., and 1525 WT Harris Blvd.
Mooresville 631 Brawley School Rd.
Durham 201 N. Roxboro Rd.
New Jersey:
Kendall Park: 3510 Route 27
Pennsylvania
Allentown 702 Hamilton Mall
Newton Square 3515 W. Chester Pike
Philadelphia:
1500 Market Street 2 W. Girard Ave.,
601 Chestnut St.,
6208 Lancaster Ave.,
340-50 S. Second St.,
1 N. 5th St., 123 S. Broad St.,
1712 Walnut St.
Scranton, 130 Wyoming Ave.
Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
lfeingold@california.net
