Why are their Braille dots on the numbers of drive up ATM machines?

January 31, 2010 - 3:11 am 14 Comments

Braille is written language for the blind using a series of raised dots in sequenced combinations to produce letters that can be felt as the finger is moved across them. ATM machines are for people to withdraw and deposit money in their bank accounts. A drive up ATM machine is one that can be accessed from outside by driving your car up next to it and rolling down your window to use it. Since blind people do not drive, why are brail dots on these ATM machines?

I have been asking the same questions my entire life!

Besides the fact a blind person shouldn’t be behind the wheel… how are they going to answer the questions, like "Which account" and "would you like a receipt for this transaction" or better yet, " English or Spanish?"

14 Responses to “Why are their Braille dots on the numbers of drive up ATM machines?”

  1. CowboyBill Says:

    Scary, huh? Why is there a sign in McDonalds that reads, ‘Braille menu available’? If they could read that they wouldn’t NEED a braille menu!! This world drives me nuts.
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  2. Wilhemina Says:

    I would guess that all the buttons are made in the same place and all made that way no matter what machine they will end up on.
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  3. cookingpancake Says:

    The Braille dots on the drive up ATM machines are for the back seat driver’s side passengers to access their funds without others knowing their pin number.
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  4. hargonagain Says:

    It is just like at Burger King it says Braille and Picture menus available upon request.
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  5. waterfreak00 Says:

    picture this, a cab with a blind person riding in the back.., damn bet ya didnt think of that
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  6. wizardslizards Says:

    I have been asking the same questions my entire life!

    Besides the fact a blind person shouldn’t be behind the wheel… how are they going to answer the questions, like "Which account" and "would you like a receipt for this transaction" or better yet, " English or Spanish?"
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  7. teri Says:

    I have seen many, many people WALK up to an ATM machine to withdraw cash. (yes, inside stores, but also even at drive thru’s) Perhaps some of those people take advantage of the Braille dots? Go figure! What with all the handicapped lawsuits and all, I wouldn’t say that it is (Unusual) at at all.
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  8. kissmybum Says:

    Is there a law that states a drive up ATM can ONLY be used by the driver of the car?

    And re: menu’s….a blind person would likely accompanied( but not always) by someone…..don’t they deserve to read the menu so they can decide for themselves.

    And some blind people get around quite well…..and they themselves can ASK for the braille menu.
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  9. Lord Zeratul Says:

    I bet you there was a lawsuit at one point that forced them to put the braile dots there. I’ve heard of lawsuit for more ridulous things, such as at a baseball game, people not handing free purses to men, so a lawsuit here is believable.
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  10. sterling m Says:

    how about this, standardization, the people that make atm’s only need to make one kind of keyboard. but seriously , they dont let the blind drive in the USA? that’s why Canadian guide dogs ride with their heads out the window , sheesh !
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  11. Anja Says:

    Here’s another question…..why is there Braille on elevators? How would one know when to get off the elevator?
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  12. Daddy Big Dawg Says:

    Blind people can still be passengers in cars. So that allows them to use the drive up ATMs.
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  13. Neel Says:

    this world is crazy

    who knows?

    ask the person at the bank why
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  14. been there Says:

    I work at a local hospital and we have braille on our buttons in the elevators for the blind.And they know when the doors ding,that it will open.Now on the insides of the elevator door jams is a larger number of the floor that the doors opened on..
    Braille is on ATM machines not only for the totally blind,but for those who can’t see well enough to see the numbers on them.And you don’t have to be the driver of a car to use it.You can have someone drive you and get out of the car to make a transaction.
    I think it is great.we have one employee who is 80% blind.Guess what his job is????? He escorts visitors to their destinations inside the hospital……….Amazing huh?
    Being blind or partial blind doesn’t have to mean giving up a normal lifestyle…And these "dots" are just one way to help them live a rich and full normal life…Just my 2-cents worth..
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