Training the visually impaired to use ATM machines

Chase, Chicago's largest bank, and the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired are partnering to train the visually impaired on using automated teller machines. Chase has installed a fully accessible, state-of-the-art ATM at the Chicago Lighthouse, 1850 W. Roosevelt Rd -- the first ATM at the site.

Visually impaired customers plug a standard set of earphones into the ATM to hear voice prompts that take them step by step through a transaction. The earphone outlet is easily accessible on the front of the ATM. Chase bankers will train Chicago Lighthouse staff on using the ATMs, and the staff will train hundreds of employees and individuals served by the Chicago Lighthouse on an ongoing basis.

Chase also will donate up to 300 sets of earphones, which the Chicago Lighthouse will distribute. The earphones can be used at any accessible ATM.

"This initiative allows people who are blind to utilize ATMs throughout the metropolitan area," noted James Kesteloot, president and executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse. "It's significant because it mainstreams people who are blind or visually impaired and gives them the independence to be able to handle banking transactions right in their own communities."
Chase predecessor Bank One was a pioneer in providing accessible ATMs for the visually impaired, installing the first "talking" ATMs in Illinois and Ohio in 2001. Today, all 1,200 Chase ATMs in the Chicago area are accessible to people who are blind. Chase customers can obtain earphones at any Chase branch.

"Chase is committed to delivering service, convenience and choice to all of our customers," said Michael Cleary, Chief Operating Officer of Chase's Consumer Bank. "Our partnership with the Chicago Lighthouse will help us equip more visually impaired individuals to manage their own financial needs by taking advantage of the convenience of our extensive ATM network."
Chase's Access Ability Resource Center, which serves to identify ways to make products more accessible to disabled employees and customers, worked with Chase's Consumer Bank to place the ATM at the Chicago Lighthouse.

Chase offers the following additional services to visually impaired consumers:

-- Account statements in Braille;

-- Account statements in large type;

-- Checks printed in large type.

Ongoing Partnership

The ATM is latest step in Chase's ongoing partnership with the Chicago Lighthouse to assist blind and visually impaired individuals with life skills. Earlier this year, Chase employees began teaching resume writing skills and performing mock job interviews at the Chicago Lighthouse to help prepare visually impaired people to seek employment.

"Chase is committed to a diverse workforce, as well as to serving our diverse customer base," Cleary said. "Resume and interview help prepares individuals for the experience of seeking a job while it also helps our staff prepare to work with potential job candidates who have different needs."

"With unemployment rates among people who are blind or visually impaired hovering around 70%, the most important thing any blind person wants is a job," Kesteloot maintained. "Thanks to Chase, job seekers who are blind or visually impaired have had access to additional training that can make the difference in whether they get a position or not get one."

About Chase

Chase, the U.S. consumer and commercial banking brand of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), has more than 100 million credit cards issued and serves consumers and small businesses through more than 2,600 bank branches, 7,100 ATMs and 225 mortgage offices as well as through relationships with over 15,000 auto dealerships, 2,500 schools and universities, and 2,100 insurance agencies. It also serves more than 25,000 commercial banking clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions and not-for-profit entities with annual revenues generally ranging from $10 million to $2 billion.

About The Chicago Lighthouse

Celebrating its centennial in 2006, The Lighthouse is one of the oldest social service agencies in Chicago. It offers 23 different programs that in fiscal year 2005 provided direct service to 23,688 individuals. Among them are a vocational services program; a clock-making facility; a school for multi-disabled infants and children; a low vision clinic; a legal clinic; a Braille library and CRIS Radio, a reading service for people who are blind or visually impaired. Because of the scope and breath of its services, The Lighthouse is regarded as the most comprehensive agency of its kind in the Midwest and a model agency nationally.