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CNN Live At Daybreak

Ask CNN: Why Do Drive-Up ATMs Have Braille?

Aired July 09, 2001 - 07:28   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: A CNN viewer wants to know: Why do drive-up ATMs have Braille?

FRANCES MARY D'ANDREA, DIRECTOR, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND: There are two reasons. One is: From a practical standpoint, it would be cost prohibitive for banks to come up with two different sets of ATM machines -- the ones that would have Braille and ones that don't. So from a practical standpoint, having one design is probably best for the bank.

But from the standpoint of someone who is blind, using an ATM that has Braille on it allows that person to enter their personal identification number independently.

SCOTT MCCALL, V.P. AMERICAN FOUNDATIONS FOR THE BLIND: Braille allows me to use any ATM, and it would not be unusual for me to be a passenger in a car. I might be in a taxi or I might be with someone, and it's more convenient to use the drive-through.

D'ANDREA: Some new exciting technology that's taking place that are talking ATMs...

(ATM TALKING)

D'ANDREA: ... whereas a blind person inserts a headphone jack and is able to scroll through the menus using a combination of the speech and the Braille to complete the transaction independently.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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