One of Canada's biggest banks, CIBC, has joined the talking ATM bandwagon
with the announcement of the installation of hundreds of talking banking
machines in the next few months. Details are in the stories below. A
link is included in the first article so the photo of Kurt Wallar can be
viewed using an automated banking machine for the first time in his
entire life. the second article is longer and provides lots of details
about the CIBC talking ABM program and the machine itself.
Kelly
CBC Ottawa
Last Updated | Oct 29 2002 03:38 PM CST
http://ottawa.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=talkingatm021029
Talking ABMs aid visually impaired
OTTAWA - Money talks, and now you can listen to it at a downtown Ottawa
banking machine.
Photo Caption:Kurt Wallar, using an ABM for the first time.
At the CIBC machine at Queen and Bank streets, you can now hear
transactions. All it takes is a
banking card and a set of head phones.
The new audio system was launched Tuesday for visually impaired
customers.
CIBC is running a pilot project in Ottawa and Toronto. It hopes to expand
the system across the country.
Kurt Wallar was one of the first to try the system.
"It removes one of the frustrations," said Wallar. "It allows me to use
the ABM after hours. Right now, if I want to do my transactions, I have
to go to a teller. This just provides much more independence."
Wallar did have trouble on his first attempt, but said that had nothing
to do with the audio system. It's just that he's never used a banking
machine before.
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Speech Technology News
CIBC Introduces Audio Access ABMs
October 30, 2002
TORONTO, CANADA - CIBC announced the introduction of Audio Access ABM
(automated banking machine) service as part of plans for improving access
to and upgrading of its network of ABMs across the country.
CIBC Audio Access ABMs allow customers with visual impairments and the
elderly to plug personal headphones into an audio jack and follow
natural sounding voice instructions in English or French for
completing any ABM transaction using the number keypad. Audio access
customers can protect their privacy by choosing to blank out the
bank machine screen so they can feel confident that no one is
observing their transactions.
CIBC 's roll out of Audio Access ABMs begins with installation of 27
units at selected branches in cities across the country by the end
of October. A total of 600 Audio Access ABMs will be in place at
more than half of CIBC's branches by September 2003.
"Installing Audio Access ABMs at all of our branches is a key part of our
plan to help virtually all Canadians do their banking at ABMs
conveniently and with confidence," said Christina Kramer, vice-president,
ABM channel and card management services, CIBC. "We have already started
an aggressive program for upgrading our network infrastructure and
replacing our ABMs with state-of-the-art hardware to deliver improved and
expanded service to customers, including people with special access
needs."
CIBC ABM network and service upgrades include:
Providing ABMs designed for persons using wheelchairs or having
restricted mobility in all barrier-free branch locations. In addition to
providing audio access service, these ABMs are installed at a lower
height with curved parcel shelves for easier wheelchair access, grab bars
for persons with mobility impairments, ABM screens with high contrast
colors, and improved task lighting to assist the elderly and partially
sighted. CIBC is committed to making all new branches fully barrier-free,
and to retrofit existing branches whenever a new entrance or other
significant renovation is undertaken.
Installation of 1,300 new or upgraded full function ABMs in branches
featuring larger screens using high quality graphics and colors for
greater readability and integration of passbook update capability.
Replacement of 50 CIBC drive-through ABMS to ensure screens are readable
in sunlight.
CIBC benefited from the expertise and assistance of the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in the development and testing of the
Audio Access ABM service to ensure that it meets the needs of the
over 100,000 CNIB clients and Canadians who are unable to read print
because of a disability.
"The CNIB strongly supports the development of fully accessible ABMs,"
said Jim Sanders, CNIB president and CEO. "Features such as Braille,
audio, large print and enhanced lighting allow more than three million
Canadians to independently manage their financial affairs."
CIBC has been actively involved in the development of the new technical
standards on ABM accessibility published by the Canadian standards
association and has been working with NCR, the leading global
provider of ABM hardware, software and services, and with
SpeechWorks International, Inc., on the design and development of
the Audio Access ABMs to ensure they meet the requirements of
customers with special needs.
"Canadian financial institutions like CIBC are among the global leaders
in implementing accessible ABMs, and we look forward to working with the
bank as it strengthens its network of barrier-free ABMs across Canada,"
said Nicholas Hames, vice president of NCR Canada's Financial Solutions
Division.
"The audio ABM is an excellent example of how NCR is using 'enabling'
technology to offer all consumers greater access to self-service banking.
The audio ABM uses NCR's APTRA ABM software, combined with an on-line
text-to-speech converter, to generate spoken language. The APTRA software
recognizes when a headphone is inserted into the jack and automatically
triggers an audio-enabled session that can then be customized by the
consumer."
CIBC 's Audio Access ABMs feature SpeechWorks' Speechify Solo embedded
speech synthesis technology, which converts text into spoken
language, allowing customers with visual impairments to complete
transactions by listening to spoken instructions in English or
French.
"SpeechWorks is pleased to support CIBC's nationwide rollout of ABMs to
support the requirements of persons with visual impairments," said Steve
Chambers, chief marketing officer at SpeechWorks. "Speechify Solo's high
quality, natural sounding voice will ensure an excellent user experience
for CIBC's Audio Access ABM customers."
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