Investigating ATM System Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to draw attention for the evaluation of the accessibility and usability of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) systems from the point of view of visually impaired persons. It suggests that there is a need for a more precise application of assistive technologies in order to develop user friendly ATMs that will aid effective accessibility without the requirement of assistance by ordinary people who may take advantage of their visual challenges and project them to all odds of insecurity for their cash. The paper suggests that, while ATMs, as opposed to across the counter services, are now a widely accepted means of easing long queues in the banks and as a time saving factor for the banking services to the consumers. An accepted feature of the ATMs is to incorporate assistive technologies which still remain a challenge even with the formative years of ATM applications. It proposes possible contexts that may benefit the visually impaired from far-reaching exploration and incorporation of relevant assistive technologies. The paper should be of interest to financial institutions whose passion is to render better services to their customers in this era of technology considering that there are those customers who wish to transact with them and even need privacy with the ATMs but cannot access such benefits because of their cognitive challenges and specifically the visually impaired. Finally the paper offers a snap-shot of some of the widely-used assistive technologies for the visually impaired when using ATMs and their associated procedures and potential pitfalls. Keywords: accessibility, Automated Teller Machines, Assistive Technology, usability, visually impaired