Wincor Nixdorf Launch ATM for the disabled

Düsseldorf Municipal Savings Bank has helped make the ATM fully functional and available for use for cash withdrawals by all visitors to the exhibition. All too often, people with disabilities are excluded from obtaining cash out of hours and via self-service machines. Abolition of the eurocheque and increasing branch closures have served to make matters worse for the disabled. Now, voice-menus for interaction with the self-service application and the ability to use the machine without leaving a wheelchair offer people who aren’t able-bodied the ability to take care of their banking transactions without assistance and at whatever time suits them. Wincor Nixdorf has made slight modifications to its standard cash machines to make them suitable for use by the disabled: the number keys are a little larger than the competitors’ machines and are slightly raised, and the function keys also feature special raised characters for the blind and visually impaired. The numeric block is arranged like that of a telephone, with the number 1 located top-left. In keeping with international custom, the number 5 key has a clearly perceptible dot to help the user find his or her way around. One of the standard features of all Wincor Nixdorf self-service products is a green illuminated line on the system, indicating the relevant active component, thus making them easier to use by those with sight difficulties. Character size, graphic design and color scheme can all be selected by the bank. The solution is based on standard PC technology with a sound card and voice output via headphones and/or external loudspeaker. Where the ATM features a headphone socket and an external loudspeaker, blind and visually impaired people are able to activate the loudspeaker by pressing any key on the PIN keypad. When the headphone plug is inserted into the socket on the machine, the external speaker is deactivated, thereby ensuring the user’s privacy. The PIN keypad is used to select all functions. Visually unimpaired people can use the function keys to the right and left hand sides of the screen, or the touchscreen. Comments and instructions within individual menus lead the user efficiently through the application. International requirements and directives are observed by Wincor Nixdorf throughout to make the self-service systems suitable for use by disabled persons. This is the key to ensuring that people with disabilities will be able to use cash systems in future.