Featuring Nuance Communications’ Real-speak technology, visually impaired users are guided through transactions such as cash withdrawals, deposits and account balances by a natural voice that’s easy to understand. The system also notifies ATM users when an error has occurred during the transaction.
Other accessibility features include a more consistent transaction flow, pronounced bezels for card readers and headphone jacks, a single-style keypad that provides consistency across the entire line of ATMs and grouping of primary and secondary transaction functions. Opteva terminals are built with a standard headphone jack and the necessary hardware to enable audio capability for users with visual impairments.
The use of standardized audio messages is the simplest and most discreet way to facilitate access to ATMs for the visually impaired, said Xavier Bianne, managing director of Diebold France. Nuance’s text-to-speech technology offers the flexibility required for translating on-screen messages into audio messages.
Diebold’s says its Opteva ATMs are the only ATMs in the world to be endorsed by the US’ National Federation of the Blind (NFB).
The ATM services are available in six languages and are due to be installed in the bank’s branches through the second quarter of 2006.
