Buzz
This question was sent in by reader Lindsey. It could also have been part of a Starburst ad campaign from the late 1990s.
ATM image via Shutterstock
It's to ensure that those with visual impairments can use the machines, of course. While individuals who are blind or have severe vision impairment typically don't drive, they may rely on others to drive them for errands, or use a cab. If a blind person is a passenger in a vehicle, they should still be able to use the drive-up ATM with ease.
This requirement is outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act's Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, which specify that the "instructions and all information for use" of ATMs, whether walk-up or drive-up, should be accessible and usable independently by individuals with vision impairments. The law mandates that such machines provide the visually impaired with the "same degree of privacy of input and output available to all individuals." Braille on drive-up ATMs ensures compliance with these regulations, allowing blind or visually impaired passengers in a car to use the ATM just as independently and privately as a sighted person.
But how would a blind person even use an ATM if they couldn't read the on-screen instructions?
You'll notice that the ADA guidelines regarding accessibility and usability are somewhat vague. While Braille keypads are an obvious solution, when the guidelines were first created, neither banks nor the government were sure what else could be done to make ATMs accessible for the blind. Eventually, a consensus was reached among the banks, the federal government, and ATM manufacturers to leave the regulations a bit unclear until a better solution was found.
Currently, the two main solutions employed by most ATMs are either a block of Braille instructions that users must carefully follow (hoping these instructions are updated alongside the machine's software), or a headphone jack (marked with Braille) that provides users with an audio version of the on-screen prompts.
