Thursday, March 18, 2004
‘Smart’ ATM added at OU to aid visually impaired
The Oakland University Branch of the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union recently donated a "smart" ATM that will enable the blind and visually impaired to easily access and use the ATM in the kiosk between South and North Foundation halls.
"We felt it was important to make life a little easier for every visually impaired student on campus,” said John Savio, vice president of the OU branch. “The machine is easy to use and provides clear instructions that will allow just about anyone to use it without any difficulty."
The machine features a jack into which users can plug a headset to get voice-guided instructions that take the user through the transaction process. Savio said the credit union also will donate the headsets needed to accommodate the 12 visually impaired students currently enrolled at Oakland University.
"In a time when funds for these sorts of things are becoming increasingly scarce, it's heartening that the credit union stepped up to the plate to make this important donation," said Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for student affairs. "It's important that we continually add services to campus like this that support our efforts to make the entire campus more user-friendly for each of our students."