final presentation talking atms

Talking ATMs in Pakistan

The Dilemma of Blindness in Developing Countries

According to WHO, More than 90 per cent of blindness occurs in developing countries.

People in developing countries are significantly more likely to experience visual impairment.

This is due to the lack of treatable or preventable conditions.

As of 2012 there were 285 million visually impaired people in the world.

Out of this 246 million had low vision and 39 million were completely blind.

The Situation in Pakistan

More than 2 million people are living with complete vision disabilities in Pakistan

50 % of them reside in Urban Areas.

Around 6 million people are partially blind in Pakistan.

17 percent of the population is suffering from diabetes, which is also a major cause of blindness.

Initiatives by State Bank of Pakistan

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has instructed commercial and microfinance bank to install a talking ATMs.

A talking ATM should be available in each area or vicinity to facilitate the visually impaired persons.

The central bank has asked the banks to collaborate with each other.

Banks / DFIs / MFBs have been directed by SBP to provide a list of all such branches and ATM cabins to SBP, on half yearly basis from June 30, 2014 onwards, where the above initiatives have been implemented by them for the benefit of special persons.



In order to make bank branches and ATM cabins easily accessible to special persons suffering from any disability, it had been decided by the SBP that henceforth all banks / DFIs / MFBs shall take at least the following measures as a part of their corporate social responsibility and moral obligations:

How does it work?

The card entry/MEI is braille embossed.

The ATM provides audible instructions to the user via a headset or loudspeaker

Information is delivered to the customer either through pre-recorded sound files or via text-to-speech speech synthesis.

The user enters data using EPP with braille.

Talking ATMs can be setup in multiple languages.


Provide preferential treatment to all special persons who desire to conduct banking transaction or wish to avail other financial services.

Where possible,construction of ramps at the entrance of existing branches and ATM cabins to allow easy access to special persons.

The structure of newly installed ATM cabins should be designed in such a manner that special persons and wheelchair users are facilitated to access the same.

Introduction of talking ATMs in Pakistan

To make banking more convenient and inclusive for people with visual impairments, talking ATMs have been recently introduced by the banks operating in Pakistan.

What is a talking ATM?

A Talking ATM is a type of automated teller machine (ATM) that provides audible instructions so that persons who cannot read an ATM screen can independently use the machine.

A sneak peek of the solution by Wincor Nixdorf

A standard ATM machine can be converted to a talking ATM machine


EPP with Braille would be added


Screen Buttons with Braille are also added


Instruction Panel for the user is also provided


Clearly marked Card Area


Clearly marked cash out area


Optional headset for privacy


Cash Slot camera


Potrait Camera


On Software Level the integration of audio will be performed, which will guide the user in making the transaction step by step


Lets have a look at the practicality of the Solution

Corporate Social Responsibility

It is an important step for the banks towards rendering their CSR responsibility.

It will promote community service for the less privileged.

The initiative of Talking ATMs would positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities in many ways.

This will create further awareness in the society.

These efforts will improve the living standards of these persons and will be a great step towards making Pakistan a disabled friendly country.

QUESTIONS PLEASE?

final presentation talking atms

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