ATMs: blind leading blind
by Aaron McHone
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

It is a typical day as I punch in my secret code at the ATM at my bank. I'm feeling particularly good about myself this day due to the fact that there is actually some money in my account for me to withdraw. As I press the enter button for the machine to begin racking up the bills it wants to spit out at me, I become aware of what many of you have already noticed. For the very first time in my banking life, I notice the raised pattern of bumps that are on every key on the keypad. What possible purpose could there be for the ATM having Braille? Could these simple bumps make this machine as user friendly to the blind as it is for me? The implications of such a thing are staggering.

I find it hard to conceive the idea that on certain occasions the blind make their way up this machine and use it just as anyone else would? I quickly dismiss the idea as simply ludicrous. I settle on the reasoning that the Braille is probably just an overachieving gesture of political correctness the bank has instituted to prevent a frivolous lawsuit by a blind person looking to make a buck. But this conclusion only proves satisfactory for a moment.

Again, I am quickly contemplating the ramifications of such an unnecessary use of the Braille system. Is it possible that I am really so far out of touch with the abilities of the blind in our day and age? Is it really possible for the blind to come up to this machine, insert their card facing the right direction, read the instructions on the screen and press all the right buttons to make their transaction? Is it possible that they can count the money they have received? Is it possible that blind people are reading this article in disgust right now? It simply doesn't make much sense. Could it be that seeing eye dogs are doing a lot more these days than just seeing with their eyes? Imagining Fido up on his haunches smacking in numbers with his paw does not help solidify the reasoning in my head.

The whole concept is just disturbing, and it is easy to wonder just how much less disturbing it might have been had I not been at the drive-thru ATM. Exactly how long have the blind been driving now? Perhaps the dog sits in the passenger seat and barks. Once for turn left. Twice for turn right. I cringe at the thought of them having to wait for three barks before hitting the brake. The whole experience is much too overwhelming for me to come away with a clear consensus of ideas.

As I grab my money and put the car in drive I begin to convince myself that my imagination has not provided me with a reasonable glimpse of reality. I put the money in my wallet and start to pull forward just as a blue truck comes racing around the corner, nearly plowing into the front of my vehicle. I turn to yell some neighborly words of advice but, instead, I'm silenced by the faint barking of a dog.