This release was one of several issued as part of the implementation of the first Bank of America Settlement Agreement negotiated by Lainey and co-counsel Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations. This agreement was the first in the country to address Talking ATMs, web accessibility, and alternative formats. As of early 2008, Bank of America had over 11,000 Talking ATMs.
Simplified Summary of this Document
Bank of America ATMs have something to talk about in Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina (December 4, 2000) — Bank of America today announced that it has installed Florida’s first talking ATMs in nine cities across the state. The Florida cities to receive the talking ATMs first are Cocoa Beach, Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tampa (exact locations are listed below).
Talking ATMs provide audible instructions to persons who cannot view information on an ATM screen. These machines make it easier for vision-impaired users to withdraw cash, deposit money and perform other ATM transactions. The ATMs have audio jacks that deliver spoken instructions privately to protect the security of blind and low-vision users.
Doug Hall, Chair of the Access Committee of the Florida Council of the Blind, praised the banks announcement. We are thrilled that Bank of America has taken this important step in providing independent access to banking services in our state. We applaud Bank of America and urge other banks in Florida to follow its example.
Earlier this year, Bank of America, in conjunction with the California Council of the Blind and several blind individuals, announced it would install more than 2,500 talking ATMs in California and Florida – its two biggest markets – over a three-year period. There are currently 68 Bank of America talking ATMs in California, where talking ATMs were first introduced in May of this year. According to Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian, lawyers for the California Council of the Blind, the California machines have been a great success and have placed Bank of America in the forefront of financial institutions in providing access to the blind community. Plans to install the ATMs in other states where Bank of America operates will be worked out early next year.
The Talking ATMs have been very well received by our customers in California, said Bill Raymond, senior vice president and manager of the Bank of America ATM program. Bank of America is pleased to again demonstrate our leadership in serving the needs of our customers and communities.
For more information about Talking ATMs, California customers may contact Bank of America at 1.800.ENABLEU for assistance. Florida customers should contact 1.800.299.BANK.
Bank of America, with $672 billion in assets, is the largest bank in the United States. It has full-service operations in 21 states and the District of Columbia and provides financial products and services to 30 million households and 2 million businesses, as well as international corporate financial services for business transactions in 190 countries. The company’s stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the
New York, Pacific and London stock exchanges, and certain shares
are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
First Bank of America Talking ATM Locations in Florida:
- Cocoa Beach
Causeway, 4300 N. Atlantic Avenue - Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek, 4803 Coconut Creek Parkway - Fort Lauderdale
Galleria Mall, 2414 E. Sunrise Boulevard
Broward & 441, 3800 W. Broward Boulevard - Jacksonville
Cobblestone, 2709 Monument Road
Downtown Jacksonville, 50 N. Laura Street - Miami
Brickell, 701 Brickell Avenue - Ocala
Boulevard, 2326 E. Silver Springs Boulevard - Orlando
Church Street, 55 W Church Street
Fashion Square, 3117 E Colonial Drive - St. Petersburg
Exxon – Sun Coast, 6201 US HWY 19 North - Tampa
Hillsborough County Courthouse, 419 Pierce Street
Westshore Mall, 100 N. Westshore Boulevard
Davis Island, 337 E. Davis Boulevard
CarrollWood, 10301 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Hillsborough County
Reporters May Contact:
Holly S. Berger, 1.704.388.1227
Media Relations, Bank of America
[email address omitted]
Chair of the Access Committee of the Florida Council of the Blind:
Doug Hall, 1.904.239-6000 Ext. 6040
[email address omitted]
Califonia Council of the Blind:
Lainey Feingold, 1.510.848.8125
[email address omitted]
Linda Dardarian (Saperstein, Goldstein, Demchak & Baller), 1.510.763.9800
[email address omitted]