ADA Deadline on ATM Access is on March 15th 2012

Are You Compliant?

                An important date is fast approaching for banks and financial institutions. Here at K.L. Security and safeandvault.com we’re interested in more than just providing you with secure banking products like; drop boxes, RentVault™ ,  depositories,  drive-up systems, safe deposit boxes and vault doors. We want to make sure you are aware of new laws, regulations and guidelines that impact you and your place of business. One of those new standards is a change to Title III of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) concerning ATMs.

                What is the ADA?

                The Americans with Disabilities Act is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity”. Because of this law, disabled people have more options and are protected from bias in public life and the work place. There are ramps for wheelchairs, signs in Braille for the blind, special access for the mentally-handicapped because of the ADA. The section of the law that should concern your business is Title III – Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities. This states that no individual may be discriminated against because of their disability; so they cannot have full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, accommodations and facilities. All facilities built after 1992 must be compliant with ADA guidelines or existing structures must be altered so they are accessible to the disabled. On September 15, 2010 the Department of Justice issued revised regulations to Title III which took effect on March 11, 2011; part of these revised regulations pertains to automated teller machines (ATMs).

                What changes do you need make to your ATMs?

                Voice guidance: ATMs must be speech enabled for visually-impaired individuals.

                Height and reach: to ensure that impaired customers can easily access the ATMs input controls, the ATMs reach must be between 15 and 48 inches.

                Input device: the input device controls must be tactilely discernible; which means that key surfaces must be raised above the surrounding surfaces for visually-impaired individuals.

                Numeric keypads: the ATM’s keypad must be arranged in a 12-key ascending layout like telephone keys or in a descending layout like on a computer number pad layout.

                Function keys: the function keys must be designed to contrast visually from their background surfaces and the 2010 standards require a left arrow symbol “<” on the clear function key.

                Display screen: for visibility from a point located 40 inches above the center of the floor in front of the ATM. The characters on the screen must be in sans serif font and a minimum of 3/16 inch high and in contrast with the background.

                Braille instructions: Braille instructions to initiate the voice guidance feature must be provided.

                Privacy screen: voice guidance users must have the option to render the ATM screen blank for greater security and privacy.

                Equal services: all banking and non-banking services offered at an institution’s ATMs must also be offered at the ADA compliant accessible ATMs. For example, if you offer checks or stamps at one, they must be available at the other.

                Separate locations: If you have outside and lobby ATMs, then they must be ADA compliant in both locations.

                ADA compliance is not a matter to be taken lightly. In 2009 Wells Fargo and Company was hit with up to $16 million in fines for ADA/Title III violations.

                If your place of business needs to alter its ATMs then the clock is ticking. ADA compliance for banks isn’t just about ATMs, like any other commercial entity, there is a list of standards and requirements covered in the ADA Technical Assistance Manual and there is more information available about the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

                Take care of all your customers and the safety and security of your business. Keep an eye on the calendar and make sure you’re compliant!