Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
0
↓
Hello, if anyone would like to talk about Product Design for the visually impaired community I'd love to chat. (self.Blind)
submitted by BooRadleysGameboy
Hello there, I'm a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame and I'm currently working on a small product design assignment. If anyone has 10 minutes or so free I'd love to chat about ATM design, your thoughts on the process and what you feel could be improved upon. Feel free to Direct Message me - or comment below and I'll get in touch. I'm US based but can call anyone, anywhere in the world.
There is an existing thread at:
$1
However, if anyone had specific thoughts and comments about ATM accessibility for the visually impaired community feel free to leave your thoughts. Some ideas I'd love to discuss:
1. The use of Smartphone Apps to speed up the time spent at the ATM machine, allow a user to "pre-set" the withdrawal amount, specify from which account and all other details before getting to the ATM using their banking app via voice assistant. The ability to tap their phone off an NFC reader, much like a contactless payment and secure this transaction using the fingerprint scanner on their smartphone. Allowing a user to pre-configure the transaction, walk up - scan and leave with their cash in a much faster and safer manner than existing ATMs.
2. Tactile paving on the ground to allow a user to know how far from the ATM they are.
3. A navigation panel somewhere on the ATM with lines a user could follow with their finger to get to each physical touch point, eg. Headphone jack, card reader, cheque lodgement.
​
Thanks in advance, I had a look at the rules and I hope I'm not breaching anything - just looking for some thoughts/feedback.
​
There is an existing thread at:
$1
However, if anyone had specific thoughts and comments about ATM accessibility for the visually impaired community feel free to leave your thoughts. Some ideas I'd love to discuss:
1. The use of Smartphone Apps to speed up the time spent at the ATM machine, allow a user to "pre-set" the withdrawal amount, specify from which account and all other details before getting to the ATM using their banking app via voice assistant. The ability to tap their phone off an NFC reader, much like a contactless payment and secure this transaction using the fingerprint scanner on their smartphone. Allowing a user to pre-configure the transaction, walk up - scan and leave with their cash in a much faster and safer manner than existing ATMs.
2. Tactile paving on the ground to allow a user to know how far from the ATM they are.
3. A navigation panel somewhere on the ATM with lines a user could follow with their finger to get to each physical touch point, eg. Headphone jack, card reader, cheque lodgement.
​
Thanks in advance, I had a look at the rules and I hope I'm not breaching anything - just looking for some thoughts/feedback.
​
KillerLag 2 points 4y ago
For number 3, most banks use the same type of machine, and the things they are interested in would already be in the same place, so it is a matter of learning them initially. And even if it was a different bank, they can feel around and recognize most of the standard ones (in addition to the labels).
For number 2, tactile markers on the ground are usually used to follow to a location, but not to gauge distance. For example, tactile markers in subways usually leads to stairs, elevators and exits. But they don't usually have anything to indicate the distance to those places, people usually use other landmarks or time/distance estimation.
One thing that has come up, but I'm not sure if there is a realistic solution to this... iPhones are very popular nowadays, with the accessibility built in. However, the last few phones no longer have the 3.5mm jack, just the Lightning port for audio, which means my client's headphones are a Lightning connector, and don't fit in the 3.5mm jack. So my clients have a option to carry a second set of earbuds specifically for the ATM, or carry the adapter dongle and 3.5mm headphones, or go to the teller (if the branch is open).
For number 2, tactile markers on the ground are usually used to follow to a location, but not to gauge distance. For example, tactile markers in subways usually leads to stairs, elevators and exits. But they don't usually have anything to indicate the distance to those places, people usually use other landmarks or time/distance estimation.
One thing that has come up, but I'm not sure if there is a realistic solution to this... iPhones are very popular nowadays, with the accessibility built in. However, the last few phones no longer have the 3.5mm jack, just the Lightning port for audio, which means my client's headphones are a Lightning connector, and don't fit in the 3.5mm jack. So my clients have a option to carry a second set of earbuds specifically for the ATM, or carry the adapter dongle and 3.5mm headphones, or go to the teller (if the branch is open).
ENTJ351 1 points 4y ago
I’d be willing to help but is there a way you can do something else? It’s like you’re reinventing the wheel here. There is already really accessible atms. What could however be a good one to work on is point of sale machines the little things you would swipe your card through to pay and now they have touch screen ones. Make them accessible and you’d be really be successful.
BooRadleysGameboy [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Hello, thank you. The above project has been completed but from looking at this space there seems to be a wide range of products that have yet to be catered for the non-sighted population.
If I have any future projects I'll be sure to take a wider scope :) POS technology is very interesting, I wonder if contactless has been useful to the blind community?
If I have any future projects I'll be sure to take a wider scope :) POS technology is very interesting, I wonder if contactless has been useful to the blind community?
funkymollusk 1 points 4y ago
Apple Pay has been great for me personally. I don’t have to mess with cards, and sometimes it means I don’t need to use a pin. Still, dealing with horrible Verisign card terminals sucks. I have to get the person to read and press the buttons onscreen every time.
I have structured my life to completely avoid ever having to use an ATM. I get cash back out of stores and avoid using cash just so I never have to figure out any ATMs. I don’t even carry wired headphones anymore.
I have structured my life to completely avoid ever having to use an ATM. I get cash back out of stores and avoid using cash just so I never have to figure out any ATMs. I don’t even carry wired headphones anymore.
BooRadleysGameboy [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Hi u/$1,
Great to hear contactless has worked out well for you! @ u/$1 Contactless is the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology that powers apple/google pay via smartphones and most new Debit/Credit cards to allow a "tap" pay at a credit card or POS (point of sale) terminal. It's normally restricted to under $40/€30 but a super quick way to pay for goods in stores.
Here is a quick video explaining the technology (has closed captions / subtitles & is explained by the narrator via voice in the video): $1
It's interesting to hear that little consideration was given for blind users when I can imagine it being so useful for the visually impaired. Will take a look into what you guys have mentioned and see if it could be incorporated into the project or future projects.
Thank you both for reaching out - I may pop you a note to clarify where you had particular difficulty and see where there might be the most area for improvement. Thanks!
​
​
​
Great to hear contactless has worked out well for you! @ u/$1 Contactless is the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology that powers apple/google pay via smartphones and most new Debit/Credit cards to allow a "tap" pay at a credit card or POS (point of sale) terminal. It's normally restricted to under $40/€30 but a super quick way to pay for goods in stores.
Here is a quick video explaining the technology (has closed captions / subtitles & is explained by the narrator via voice in the video): $1
It's interesting to hear that little consideration was given for blind users when I can imagine it being so useful for the visually impaired. Will take a look into what you guys have mentioned and see if it could be incorporated into the project or future projects.
Thank you both for reaching out - I may pop you a note to clarify where you had particular difficulty and see where there might be the most area for improvement. Thanks!
​
​
​
ENTJ351 1 points 4y ago
What’s contactless? I have never heard of it.
And POS tech is really interesting but it seems like a pain a lot of the time.
I think there is not enough development there.
And POS tech is really interesting but it seems like a pain a lot of the time.
I think there is not enough development there.
bright_side1977 1 points 4y ago
1. Some banks already offer this (Wells Fargo does for sure)
2. May be an issue for wheelchair users. Also generally what canes are for.
3. Do you mean lines that tell the user where the headphone jack is? I’m not sure how that’s easier than finding a headphone jack.
I’m not trying to be discouraging but I think the better question is: Are ATM improvements something visually impaired people feel strongly about? I would like to see the option for text magnification and contrast adjustment.
2. May be an issue for wheelchair users. Also generally what canes are for.
3. Do you mean lines that tell the user where the headphone jack is? I’m not sure how that’s easier than finding a headphone jack.
I’m not trying to be discouraging but I think the better question is: Are ATM improvements something visually impaired people feel strongly about? I would like to see the option for text magnification and contrast adjustment.
KillerLag 2 points 4y ago
It may also depend on the country the machines are in. I was recently working with a client from Argentina. Intelligent man with a good education. But the ATMs over there are so inaccessible, he wasn't able to use it. When he came to Canada, I showed him how to use the ATMs we had, and he picked it up in 5 minutes. The banks in Argentina never bothered getting any accessible systems in place.
bright_side1977 1 points 4y ago
Definitely.
BooRadleysGameboy [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Hi u/KillerLag and u/bright_side1977
Thank you both for replies, great to hear that current ATM accessibility is good and those with impaired vision are able to quickly use ATM services. I'll be taking your feedback onboard and incorporating it into the design phase of the project.
​
Thank you both for replies, great to hear that current ATM accessibility is good and those with impaired vision are able to quickly use ATM services. I'll be taking your feedback onboard and incorporating it into the design phase of the project.
​
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.