RBC Royal Bank is introducing 225 additional audio bank machines across the country. These specialty ABMs are designed to assist people who are blind and visually impaired, as well as other people with special needs, such as the elderly and people with learning disabilities.

The talking ABMs work the same way as any other full-service banking machine – except that they provide audio assistance to customers, guiding them step-by-step through their banking. The audio prompts are heard through personal headphones, which plug into a jack near the machine’s card reader.

“Accessible technology has made it possible for me to participate fully in all aspects of our society,” said Sharlyn Ayotte, in an RBC press release, who uses the audio ABM regularly. “As both a personal and business client, I absolutely depend on accessible and usable technology to conduct my affairs independently.”

The first talking ABM was placed in Ottawa by RBC in 1997. Since then, RBC Royal Bank has installed another 13 across Canada, which received high praise for their user-friendly design.

The 225 new machines will be installed in major cities and smaller communities across the country starting in October with RBC’s Toronto main branch. All 225 will be up and running by January 31, 2003.