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LASALLE BANK CORPORATION TO OFFER
IMPROVED SERVICES
FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Bank Plans Talking ATMs, Accessible Web Sites and
Documents, Other Services, in Conjunction with Equip for Equality and American
Council of the Blind Chicago Affiliate
Chicago, IL and Troy, MI – LaSalle Bank Corporation
subsidiaries LaSalle Bank and Standard Federal Bank announced today that
they have launched several major initiatives intended to provide easier
access to their banking services for individuals with visual
impairments. These initiatives include the installation of Talking
ATMs, a more user-friendly format on the banks’ Web sites, and greater
accessibility to printed materials. LaSalle Bank Corporation worked
with Equip for Equality and the American Council of the Blind of
Metropolitan Chicago, two Illinois-based non-profit organizations; Kelly
Pierce, a Chicago blind advocate and technology specialist; and Lainey
Feingold, a California lawyer who has assisted members of the blind
community nationally on this issue, on the plan to convert its entire
ATM network over the next three years and to provide other services.
LaSalle Bank and Standard Federal Bank operate a combined network of
more than 1,500 ATMs in the Midwest. Principal Web sites are
www.lasallebank.com and
www.standardfederalbank.com “The banks successfully piloted
Talking ATMs at 25 locations in 2004,” said Steve Nowaczyk, senior vice
president responsible for LaSalle Bank Corporation’s ATM network. “This
feature will bring the convenience of our extensive ATM network to
people with visual impairments as well as anyone else who has difficulty
reading an ATM screen.”Individuals can access the talking features,
including a brief orientation, by inserting a headset into an audio jack
located on the front of the ATM. All of the Talking ATMs speak in both
English and Spanish. Headsets are available for free at LaSalle Bank or
Standard Federal Bank branches with Talking ATMs. Talking ATM kits with
headsets and instructions on audio cassette and in large print can be
ordered at the branches or through the banks’ call centers. Customers
can easily find Talking ATM locations using the “Locations” option on
the banks’ Web sites or by calling the bank’s toll-free customer service
telephone line.
“We applaud LaSalle Bank Corporation for its proactive approach to
improving banking services for the blind community and others with
difficulty reading standard print,” said Amy F. Peterson, senior
attorney at Equip for Equality. “This is an example of how assistive
technology can make a significant difference in the lives of people with
disabilities.” Her comments were echoed by Albert Anderson, the
president of the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago,
an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind that worked with the
bank on this initiative. “The bank has demonstrated a firm commitment
to making its services widely available,” said Mr. Anderson, “and we
congratulate it on the far reaching initiatives announced today.”
In addition to Talking ATMs, LaSalle Bank and Standard Federal Bank
offer a number of services designed to make banking easier for people
with visual impairments. For example, retail deposit account statements
are available in alternate formats, including Braille, large print, and
on audio and computer disc. Raised-line checks are now available for
the same price as standard checks and any mass-produced bank document,
such as checking brochures, can be provided in an alternative format
such as Braille upon request. The banks’ Web sites are also being
updated according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the Web
Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web consortium (www.w3.org)
to make them more accessible.
About Equip for Equality
Equip for Equality is a private, not-for-profit entity designated in
1985 by the Governor to administer the federally mandated Protection and
Advocacy system for safeguarding the rights of people with physical and
mental disabilities in Illinois. EFE is dedicated to expanding
opportunities for people with disabilities to live full and independent
lives by providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, disability
rights education, public policy advocacy and abuse investigations.
About American Council of the Blind, Metropolitan Chicago Affiliate
The American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago (ACBMC) is
an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, advocating on behalf
of blind and visually impaired people of all ages. ACBMC works to
improve the educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities for
all people who are blind and visually impaired in the Chicago area.
ACBMC can be reached at (217) 523-4967. The Website of ACBMC is
www.acb.org.
About LaSalle Bank Corporation
LaSalle Bank Corporation is headquartered in Chicago with $103.4
billion in assets. Its primary subsidiaries are LaSalle Bank and
Standard Federal Bank.
LaSalle Bank National Association is based in Chicago with $63.7
billion in assets, $37.7 billion in deposits, more than 140 retail
locations and 500 ATMs. LaSalle Bank is the second largest bank in
Chicago. Subsidiaries include LaSalle National Leasing Corporation,
LaSalle Business Credit, LLC and ABN AMRO Financial Services, Inc.
LaSalle Bank maintains commercial offices in Boca Raton, Cleveland,
Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis,
New England (covering Connecticut, Boston and New Jersey), Pittsburgh,
Des Moines, Rockford, Peoria, St. Louis, Tampa and Miami.
Standard Federal Bank is headquartered in Troy, MI, with $39.1
billion in assets and $20.2 billion in deposits. One of the largest
banks in the Midwest, Standard Federal offers a complete range of
investment, commercial and retail banking solutions through 261 branches
and more than 1,000 ATMs in Michigan and Indiana. In 2005, Standard
Federal will take the name LaSalle Bank Midwest National Association,
creating a unified LaSalle Bank brand with LaSalle Bank in Chicago. The
banks, which are indirect subsidiaries of Netherlands-based ABN AMRO
Bank N.V., will not merge as a result of this name change.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Equip for Equality
Amy F. Peterson, Senior Attorney
(312) 895-7324
Barry C. Taylor, Legal Advocacy Director
(312) 895-7317
TTY: (800) 610-2779
LaSalle Bank Corporation
Shawn Platt – Chicago, IL
(312) 904-7240
Robert J. Darmanin – Troy, MI
(248) 637-2521
Lainey Feingoldddd
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
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