# Braille on ATM Pin pads **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928 "2006-08-01T20:22:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rhythmonly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@rhythmonly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhythmonly)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/1 "2006-08-01T20:22:36Z")
I tried to do a search on this topic, but was informed that I do not have access to the search page. My bank (B of A) has PIN pads at the drive-up ATMs. The number keys have Braille legends, along with the numeric data. Any reason that a bank would encourage blind patrons to use a drive up ATM? No response from the bank yet. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/2 "2006-08-01T20:31:07Z")
Simple. Some of their ATM’s need braille to serve blind customers in lobbies and things. There is no need to eliminate this feature from the other ATM’s. It would cost money to make braille free ATM keys and no reason to do so. Therefore, you see ATM’s with braille keys even in places where a blind patron is likely to use it. Besides, they can’t absolutely prove that a blind person won’t walk up to one of those machines and that could be an ADA violation. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/3 "2006-08-01T20:31:57Z")
**Cecil** did a column on this: [Why is there braille on drive-up teller machines?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_010.html) > [@Cecil Adams](#): > > Drive-up ATM buttons are marked with braille because federal regulations require it. To be specific, section 4.34.4 of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (Appendix to Part 1191, 36 CFR Chapter XI, issued pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) says, “Instructions and all information for use [of an automated teller machine] shall be made accessible to and independently usable by persons with vision impairments.” Drive-up ATMs, unlike the walk-up variety, don’t need to be wheelchair accessible, but the rules make no exception regarding accessibility by the blind. Also, some past threads: > **[Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=120104)** > > That is one of lifes unanserable questions…😕 > **[Why is there braille on drive through ATM machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=172258)** > > Just wondering. The only reason I can think of is because of the cost associated with making the buttons or labels. It’s just easier to put the buttons and labels on all the machines instead of a select few. Or maybe blind folks are cruisin’ around... ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/4 "2006-08-01T21:04:26Z")
Strangely the ATM’s at the local citibank walk in center don’t have Braille on their keys. I assume that a Braille ATM would also have sound output to tell the blind user what is happening with their account. Or is there some other way that blind users can make use of ATMs? ---
**Author:** ![rhythmonly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@rhythmonly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhythmonly)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/5 "2006-08-01T21:19:37Z")
Thanks for the info/links, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/6 "2006-08-01T21:35:56Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > I assume that a Braille ATM would also have sound output to tell the blind user what is happening with their account. Oh, this would be a fabulous idea. I can see it now: \*(loudspeaker) Your current account balance is: $412,053.97 How much would you like to withdraw? You chose “$1500”. Is this correct? Processing…\* ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/7 "2006-08-01T21:38:57Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Strangely the ATM’s at the local citibank walk in center don’t have Braille on their keys. I assume that a Braille ATM would also have sound output to tell the blind user what is happening with their account. Or is there some other way that blind users can make use of ATMs? On the ATMs I have seen there is a place for someone to plug in a headset to allow feeback but avoid the problems Rigamarole talks about. Often times there is a cover with some Braille on it that can be slide aside to allow the headset to be plugged in. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/8 "2006-08-01T21:46:23Z")
[Here’s why.](http://galactanet.com/comic/576.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/9 "2006-08-01T23:14:18Z")
As a side point, ATMs are expensive. If you want to close your branch on the corner of Opal and Adams, you won’t be throwing the ATM away… you’ll likely be relocating it to your other branch. ATMs engineered for drive-up operation do sometimes wind up redeployed on sidewalk-only applications. It works fine as long as the installers remember to account for the height of the intended user vs a guy in a car, driving on a sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/10 "2006-08-01T23:18:10Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Here’s why.](http://galactanet.com/comic/576.htm) Brilliant - thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/11 "2006-08-01T23:22:58Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Oh, this would be a fabulous idea. I can see it now: > > \*(loudspeaker) > > Your current account balance is: $412,053.97 > > How much would you like to withdraw? > > You chose “$1500”. Is this correct? Processing…\* By sound output I did mean a port for earphones, though I see how I was unclear. Still if she’s got $412,053.97 in the bank she can afford to have her buttler go out and get the money for her from the bank. Also who gets to withdraw $1500 from a bank ATM, is that a special feature for people with 6 figure dollar amounts? ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/12 "2006-08-02T03:50:05Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > By sound output I did mean a port for earphones, though I see how I was unclear. Still if she’s got $412,053.97 in the bank she can afford to have her buttler go out and get the money for her from the bank. Also who gets to withdraw $1500 from a bank ATM, is that a special feature for people with 6 figure dollar amounts? (AU) I’ve withdrawn $1500 from an ATM before. In fact, I’ve withdrawn somewhere in the vicinity of 2.5k (for my hubby’s Visa application) in one go. That left me with $5 in the bank. It all depends on the limits that your personal bank sets for transactions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/braille-on-atm-pin-pads/366928/13 "2006-08-02T06:19:33Z")
SI, And on the ATM. Some ATM operators choose to cap withdrawal amounts.