Media Contacts: W. Scott McSween, Chevy Chase Bank, 301-986-7294; Curtis Chong, National Federation of the Blind, 410-659-9314, extension 349; Linda Royster, Disability Rights Council of Greater Washington,
202-234-7750
NATION'S CAPITAL SOON TO RECEIVE TALKING ATMS
CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND, June 28, 2001 -- Chevy Chase Bank, the National Federation of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Council of Greater Washington (DRC) today announced a plan to upgrade with voice-guided technology more than 500 Chevy Chase Bank ATMs locations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Under the plan, developed with the substantial assistance of the National Federation of the Blind and the DRC, Chevy Chase Bank will begin a pilot of 20 talking ATMs within the next six months. After successful completion of the pilot, upgrades of additional ATMs will continue over the following three years.
Chevy Chase Bank will retrofit its ATMs with new technology developed by NCR Corporation, one of the largest ATM vendors in the U.S. The new ATM technology will provide spoken step-by-step instructions to persons who cannot view information on ATM screens, thereby making it easier for them to perform standard automated banking transactions. In order to maintain privacy and security, blind and low-vision users will activate the voice-guidance feature by plugging headphones into universal audio jacks installed in the ATMs.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said, "We are happy to be working closely with Chevy Chase Bank to improve access to its ATMs by the blind. We applaud Chevy Chase Bank for its efforts in this area and look forward to the day when independent access to ATMs will be a routine matter for the blind rather than an exception."
Linda Royster, Executive Director of the DRC, said, "Chevy Chase Bank's agreement to install talking ATMs will substantially enhance the ability of persons who are blind to bank in an independent and dignified manner. We hope other financial institutions will follow Chevy Chase Bank's commendable lead."
"We are pleased to announce the enhancement of our ATMs with spoken instruction technology," said W. Scott McSween, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking at Chevy Chase Bank. "We are committed to providing all of our customers with the best in banking convenience, as evidenced by an extensive branch network, ATM network, Online Banking service and a 7-day a week Customer Contact Center providing customer service by telephone. This commitment extends to the blind community, which to date has been served through the branch and telephone channels, both of which offer extended-hour service. The enhancement of our ATMs with spoken instruction technology is an example of our ongoing efforts to better meet the needs of our diverse group of customers, including those who are blind."
Chevy Chase Bank, with over $10 billion in assets and a base of over one million customers, is the largest bank headquartered in the Baltimore-Washington region. It has over 180 branches, many of which are located in Giant Food stores, and over 800 ATMs, the area's largest proprietary ATM network.
The National Federation of the Blind is a consumer-based organization of more than 50,000 blind people throughout the U.S. whose primary purpose is to promote security, opportunity, and equality for those who are blind or visually impaired. NFB has long been actively involved in promoting adaptive technologies for the blind so that blind people can live and work independently in today's technology-dependent world. The Disability Rights Council of Greater Washington (DRC), established in 1992, is a non-profit membership organization advocating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, including public accommodations, governmental services, and public transportation. Over the past years, the DRC has succeeded in obtaining enhancements to access at grocery stores, movie theaters, restaurant chains, retail stores, and public services.
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