Talking ATM For Auckland Domestic Airport

Talking ATM For Auckland Domestic Airport

Westpac installed Auckland Domestic Airport's first 'talking' Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) last week, to allow easy access to banking services for blind and vision-impaired people.

Last year Westpac became the first major trading bank in New Zealand to trial 'talking' ATMs, which allow vision-impaired people to use the facilities via a series of audio cues.

The talking ATMs can be accessed using standard personal headphones and provide instruction on how to withdraw cash and check balances through recorded voice prompts.

Westpac's Auckland Regional Manager, Jason Stephens said the installation of talking ATMs made Westpac's banking facilities more accessible to all members of the public.

"We are continually looking for ways that we can enhance our services for our customers and the way we deliver these," he said.

Westpac has worked closely with the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand to develop the initiative and has ensured a broad geographical spread of talking ATM locations throughout the country.

Association of Blind Citizens National President, Carolyn Weston said enabling someone's independence is an extremely important step in meeting the needs of blind people.

"Banking is an extremely important service for most people and therefore, must be completely accessible and understandable.

"Westpac has demonstrated its commitment to improving accessibility for people who are blind and vision impaired, and we look forward to further progress in this area from the rest of the banking community," she said.

Jason Stephens said the installation of the talking ATM is another example of how Westpac is working to better serve the needs of its local communities.

"Improving the accessibility of our services and responding to the needs of our community is an ongoing commitment and priority for us," he said.

Each talking ATM has a 35mm audio jack that accepts most standard headsets and earpieces. Westpac customers can either use their own headsets or request a set to be provided by the bank. To locate the nearest Westpac talking ATM, customers can check the www.westpac.co.nz website.

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