Ask Dr Stupid: The ATM and the Blind
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Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 09:59:44 -0700
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To: Dr. Stupid
From: john@handw.org (john)
Subject: atm
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
john (john@handw.org) on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 09:59:44
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email: john@handw.org
realname: john
subject: atm
Form-ID: Dr. Stupid Form
Message: why dothey have brail on the atm. is it for the blind people who are driving?
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Dear John:
First off, there is Braille on the ATM so blind people can get their money out of the bank. I woud say that there must be a huge trust factor going on there. One issue is that there are varying degrees of blindness, ranging from visually impaired, to legally blind to "effectively useless visual ability". Those who are legally blind and visually impaired often have a range of sight that is limited to varying degrees. However, the bank does not know this, it is not required information to establish an account. Plus, with ATM machines also having head-set plugs for headphones to assist blind people, it takes out the lack of additional tactile response to let them know what is on the screen. That technology is very expensive.
Also, most ATM's only give out $20's in the United States. There are some that give out other bills as well, but for the most part, it is $20's that are dispensed. A lot of trust goes there for blind people. What if some jerk decides to replace the $20's with singles? Well, that would cheat a lot of people and would get detected pretty fast.
Most ATM's are also walk-up only. So, naturally, assuming a blind person finds the ATM, they can conduct their banking. I think your question has to do with why are the drive-up ATM's also including braille on those keypads. One reason is that by standardizing on a single set of interchangable parts, it reduces costs associated with maintenance and repairs. There is only one button for that position, braille or otherwise. While this does not speed up the repair process, it does prevent having to have the same part made as two variations of the same item.
Now, Dr. Stupid can not speak for driving conditions outside of where Dr. Stupid resides, but it appears that they do in fact give driver's licenses out to just about anyone. Turn signals apparently should be considered optional equipment since it appears that drivers do not utilize this feature very often. There are so many people getting cut off in traffic that it is readily apparent that people are not looking where they are going. Reckless driving is on the rise as well. So, perhaps the blind are driving. It would certainly explain why traffic is getting worse and worse around here.
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