San Francisco Treasurer Susan Leal Launches Nation's First Talking ATM 

Unique Partnership with San Francisco Federal Credit Union

Friday, October 1, 1999
Jay Banfield, 415/554-5260, jason_banfield@ci.sf.ca.us
Submitted by Ray Grott - October 4, 1999

San Francisco Treasurer Susan Leal today unveiled the nation's first talking
ATM in a ceremony at City Hall. Supplied with headphones, people who are
blind or partially sighted can use the ATM without assistance. The new ATM is
located in City Hall's Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector. "For the
first time, people who are blind or partially sighted can use an ATM with the
same freedom that most of us take for granted," Leal said. 

"When we sought to install an ATM in City Hall, I had two primary criteria,"
continued Leal. "I wanted a financial institution that would not impose a
surcharge on our customers, and I wanted an ATM that was accessible." The San
Francisco Federal Credit Union, partnered with T-Base Communications, Inc.,
met these needs. The Credit Union not only operates ATMs without surcharges,
it offered the talking ATM at no extra cost to the City. 

"The San Francisco Federal Credit Union is committed to doing what is right
for its customers and for the City of San Francisco. The talking ATM is one
example," said William Wolverton, President & CEO of the Credit Union. The
elimination of surcharges is another. "We do not impose ATM charges on any of
our machines," added Chairman of the Board Harry J. Quinn. 

For the City Hall ATM, the Credit Union teamed with T-Base Communications,
Inc., an award-winning consulting firm that worked with the Royal Bank of
Canada on a similar project. "It is a pleasure to work with organizations
that are proactive and committed to delivering their services equitably and
in ways that reflect the diversity of their client base," said Len Fowler,
co-founder of T-Base. "We look forward to working with San Francisco's
disability community as we continue to refine and enhance the product."  

Representatives from the Mayor's Disability Council and the Mayor's Office on
Disability were continually involved in the installation of the new ATM.
"Treasurer Leal has shown tremendous leadership on this issue," maintained
Grayce Regan, the Chair of the Mayor's Disability Council. "The private banks
waited for people with disabilities to file a legal complaint before they
would begin to address the problem, while the Treasurer actually approached
us with the idea."  

Concluded Treasurer Leal, "I am excited to work with the Disability Council
and the Mayor's Office on Disability on a project that increases access and
extends the boundaries of what is possible. This is an important and historic
first step."  

Partners on the ATM project also include Diebold, Incorporated; Deluxe
Corporation; and the CO-OP Network.