Innovation
ATMs need to go above and beyond to ensure financial inclusivity especially to the disabled.
Photo: Adobe Stock
June 3, 2025 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator
ATMs are a cornerstone of financial inclusion, as they provide convenient access to cash and self-service banking. It is also of the utmost importance that ATMs meet the regulations of the American Disabilities Act and to go beyond to create a truly inclusive experience.
On the most basic level, ATMs need to be accessible for those in wheelchairs and visually impaired users so they can have easy access to cash, but how to do that is another matter entirely.
To learn more about how ATMs can meet ADA requirements, ATM Marketplace reached out via email interview to Jodi Neiding, VP of Americas Banking Portfolio, at Diebold Nixdorf.
Q: What are some main ADA guidelines for ATMs and how have ATMs traditionally met these needs?
Neiding:The ATM is a critical touch point to access financial services. So, it must be accessible to all — a challenge that requires accessibility to be a key concern in developing any solution. Under the American Accessibility Act, ATMs must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, with requirements including:
- Speech is enabled for all displayed functions, activated through a standard headphone jack.
- The ATM must be within reach — no higher than 48 inches from the floor — for wheelchair users, and operable with one hand without tight grasping.
- The screen should be visible from a seated position, with characters at least 3/16 inch tall and high contrast.
- Input controls must be tactile discernible for easy navigation, with Braille or raised symbols on function keys. Braille instructions must also be available to initiate speech mode.
- The ATM should be on an accessible route with clear floor space for wheelchair access and must have the option to protect the user’s privacy during transactions.
Q: What are some tools for ATMs to go above and beyond for disabled patrons?
Neiding:For people with disabilities, the future of ATM access could be as simple as using their own smartphone. Personal devices already adapted with accessibility features like screen readers, voice control or custom interfaces — could connect to ATMs via NFC, Bluetooth or QR codes. This would allow users to predefine and complete transactions without needing to navigate unfamiliar or less accessible ATM interfaces, offering a more seamless, dignified and empowering banking experience.
Q: What are some innovative tools that your company uses to meet the needs of disabled patrons?
Neiding:Historically, accessibility has been approached through hardware solutions. Diebold Nixdorf ensures that both our ATM hardware and software are designed with accessibility in mind. With our DN SoftADA software, users can utilize a hardware button to easily lower the screen, allowing wheelchair users to interact with the user interface. We are also enhancing ATM accessibility by incorporating visual cues that illuminate interaction points, thereby assisting users throughout their transactions.
By combining these innovative solutions for users with visual, auditory or mobility challenges with accessible design features like Braille keypads, audio guidance, adjustable interfaces and ADA-compliant height and reach, Diebold Nixdorf’\/s DN Series ATMs are delivering a seamless banking experience for all.
Q: Anything else to add?
Neiding:Diebold Nixdorf continuously monitors standards and regulations in conjunction with other industry and accessibility experts to ensure all requirements are met. We design our solutions with global accessibility standards in mind and tested by user groups that encompass those with various abilities. By consistently integrating ADA-compliant features into our ATMs, we ensure that all users, regardless of physical abilities, can access banking services with ease. If we want truly accessible banking, the ATM has to work for everyone.
About Bradley Cooper
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Diebold Nixdorf
As a global technology leader and innovative services provider, Diebold Nixdorf delivers the solutions that enable financial institutions to improve efficiencies, protect assets and better serve consumers.
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