17 May 2005
A bank in Northern Ireland will be the first in Europe to offer ATMs for blind and partially sighted people.
The new technology uses implements automated voice technology and headphones that can be fitted into a special jack on the ATM, allowing the customer to listen to commands, rather than having to read them on the display.
Two Northern Bank ATMs in Belfast are to be equipped with the device and will be trialled over six months. If successful, a nationwide roll-out of the technology will be put into action.
David Mann of the Royal National Institute for the Blind said the new cash machines were a "breakthrough" for people with sight problems.
"ATMs are really difficult to use for blind or partially sighted people because all the information is displayed visually," he said.
"This is therefore great news for people with sight problems - a real breakthrough for Northern Bank, and I'd call on all the other banks to follow suit."
Rosamond Bennett of the Northern Bank said it was "delighted to be the first in Europe to be using it" and was proud of the new service.
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