Most ATM manufacturers use interchangable parts for all of their ATM's. It's cheaper than manufacturing a different set of keypads, buttons, etc.. for all of the different ATM styles, so the keypads and other pieces that are braile-imprinted are used. Also, many ATMs that are used in drive-up lanes are the same ATM's that are placed indoors as well. They just figure it's easier (and cheaper) to use the same equipment everywhere. I know it's a boring answer, but it's the only one I got. :)

Perhaps a blind person in the left back seat of the car has to conduct a transaction. Also, some banks have drive-up ATMs on both sides, so all of the vehicle's occupants could conduct a transaction if need be. Therefore, since blind people are either back seat passengers or sit in the front seat passenger's side, braille keys are needed on drive-up ATMs after all.

Because a blind ATM user might be riding as a passenger in the back seat.

Most ATMs are made for use in either the lobby or at drive-throughs. It cuts down on manufacturing costs if they don't have to make two different types of ATMs, so it is easier for them to make all ATMs with Braille keyboards.

Because, as a cost saving thing, they use the same exact machine for the drive thru as for the walk-up. Braille is required on walk-up machines as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Most ATM manufacturers use interchangable parts for all of their ATM's. It's cheaper than manufacturing a different set of keypads, buttons, etc.. for all of the different ATM styles, so the keypads and other pieces that are braile-imprinted are used. Also, many ATMs that are used in drive-up lanes are the same ATM's that are placed indoors as well. They just figure it's easier (and cheaper) to use the same equipment everywhere. I know it's a boring answer, but it's the only one I got. :)

It's for the Australian and British cars that are imported to the United States. See, drive on the left side of the road and the driver's side is on the right. So when someone drives up to the drive through in a British car, their blind passenger can make the transaction for them.

Okay. This is a very funny question. The seriousness is even funny. Joke's on them, huh?

Here's a thought... Perhaps if a blind person was being chauffeured around by a sighted person, he or she could work the ATM machine from the back seat!

because incase a blind person wants a job to install the buttons they wont be in breech of working rights?

because not all blind people are 100% blind.

Same reason the emergency lever on a train is red, but the emergency lever on a plane is light blue.

Having been in the ATM business for over 25 years, I have the answer to this question. NOT TRUE Theories: 1. Walkup ATMs generally not used as drive up ATMs due to the different ATM screen angles required. Drive up ATM monitors are angled in more of a "down" position than walkup ATMs. I'll be the person that walked up to the driveup ATM had to stoop down to use it. 2. Previously, not all ATM manufacturers offered Brailled keyboards (true). A (useless) Braille decal/sticker was provided to place next to the keypad. A Brailled keypad was an option when ordering an ATM. TRUE: 1. Braille on driveup ATMs was required so that a visually impaired individual could perform an independent transaction if chauffered by a sighted individual 2. Only 20% (percent may be incorrect, but its low, nonetheless) of visually impaired individuals can read Braille. 3. Due to stringent encryption standards, standard keyboards are not emboossed with Braille but a standard "symbol" on some of the keys for use with headphones, which is now the new ADA requirement.

I've thought of that question as well, and the only answer I could come up with would be the possibility of the blind person being driven to the ATM (sitting in the back seat). They would be able to complete their transaction using braille without needing help from the driver.

As stated by Cecil on The Straight Dope Drive-up ATM buttons are marked with braille because federal regulations require it. To be specific, section 4.34.4 of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (Appendix to Part 1191, 36 CFR Chapter XI, issued pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) says, "Instructions and all information for use [of an automated teller machine] shall be made accessible to and independently usable by persons with vision impairments." Drive-up ATMs, unlike the walk-up variety, don't need to be wheelchair accessible, but the rules make no exception regarding accessibility by the blind. You're now thinking: boy, those federal bureaucrats sure are stupid. Don't they realize a blind person isn't going to be able to drive to a drive-up ATM? Cecil reserves judgment on the stupidity question, but even if the feds weren't smart enough to notice this little problem on their own, there were plenty of poeple who pointed it out for them before the rule was finalized. The American Bankers Association, for one, asked that drive-up machines be exempt from the visually-impaired requirement, arguing that a blind person using a drive-up ATM would have to be a passenger and that the driver of the vehicle could help with the transaction. No dice, said the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, reasoning that driver assistance "would not allow the [blind] individual to use the ATM independently." This may sound like one of those absurd points of principle, but ATM manufacturers say a fair number of blind people do take cabs to drive-up ATMs, and nobody wants to ask a total stranger to help with a financial transaction. Your question does point to a more serious problem, which other readers have also raised: how the hell is a blind person supposed to use any kind of ATM? Whether the keypad numbers are identified with braille or not, there isn't any braille translation of the on-screen instructions, without which the machine is useless. Maybe, you're thinking, the problem isn't the brainless bureaucrats, it's the brainless (or cynical) bankers and ATM builders, who figure a pretense of accessibility will get them off the hook. But that isn't it either. At the time the accessibility rules were written, and to a great extent still today, there was no agreement on the best way to make ATMs accessible to the blind. More than 50 ideas have been proposed, including a "talking machine," detailed braille instructions, an automated "bank-by-phone" setup with a telephone handset and a keypad, and so on. (Sample problem: if you use a "voice guided" ATM, how do you keep others from overhearing?) Another difficulty was retrofitting the thousands of machines already installed. The bankers and ATM builders argued that the best thing to do was leave the federal rules vague until the industry figured out a practical approach. The not-entirely-satisfactory solution in the interim has been to (1) mark ATM keypads, input and output slots, etc., with braille, and (2) send braille ATM instruction brochures or audio cassettes to blind bank patrons requesting them. The theory is that while ATM operation varies from machine to machine, people conduct most of their transactions at just a few locations, the operating sequences for which they can memorize. The drawback of this approach is that you have to know that the special instructions are available and you can only use the machines you have instructions for. Happily, the banks and ATM builders have been reasonably diligent in trying to come up with more accessible equipment, some of which is starting to show up in the marketplace now. About time, say some advocacy groups. "We don't want to see information technology [e.g., ATMs] become the new curb," says Elga Joffee of the American Foundation for the Blind. "There's certainly no reason to squelch evolving technology. I just wish they'd hurry up and evolve it." http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_010.html

Have you seen the people who work at the DMV? You could walk in with a seeing eye dog and get a lisence.

Maybe the don't make the buttons specific for a drive through vs. a walk up to ... uh, type of machine. If they just always put braille on the buttons, then they are covered no matter where the machine is placed.

I am not sure what a mac machine is, but the reasons could be similar to ATM machines (we have had some drive through ones in Australia). The machines are made in bulk, and to have special ones just for drive through areas wuold be very expensive, so they just use the standard machine. Many companies offer taped instructions so the blind can memorise what they need to do when they visit a particular ATM.

Oh there are many blind drivers on the road, haven't you noticed? ;-)

It's for those blind people who walk around town with their white canes for when they need some money after the bank closes to pay off their fines at the movie rental store/strip-tease bar.

My original answer was going to be, so blind people can use braile to read how they get their money. Then I thought to myself, why would a blind person be driving? Now that would be an amazingly hilarious sight.

I'll call stevie wonder and ask him.Oprah just bought him a rolls royce.

So they don't have to manufacture more than one version of the buttons and make sure that they have the right buttons in the right locations. Also, who knows when somebody blind might want to use one of those ATM's cause it's easily acessible.

Because a blind person may ride with somebody or walk through the ATM when the bank is closed.

They probably mass produce the ATM machines. Instead of making special ones for drive-throughs, they use the same type of ATM machine as they do for the kind you don't drive up to. Or, maybe there ARE some blind people driving. Seems like it sometimes.

Because it is a lot more expensive to make special ATMs for drive-throughs than to fit the same keyboard you fit everywhere else.

That, and government bureaucracy at it's finest. I believe it's actually law, thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

So that blind people who steal cars can easily get money out of banks before escaping into thin air.

For the future when the cars / transports are really "automatic" and drive themselves to your voice commanded destination. then a blind person can go through the drive through atm with out waiting for them to be revised... they are ready NOW .! (just a thought.)

So Stevie Wonder can get money out whilst still playing on a keyboard.

can you not also walk up to the atm too?

They are all the same ATM machines. Wouldn't make sense for the bank to order non-braille ATM machines. It's just simpler to use the same buttons on every machine that is used.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires it for one. But also blind people also need to use the drive-up ATM sometimes. A prime example would be when riding in a cab. Here's some more info. http://blog.creditorweb.com/index.php/2007/08/26/seven-wonders-of-the-atm-world/

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires it for one. But also blind people also need to use the drive-up ATM sometimes. A prime example would be when riding in a cab. Here's some more info. http://blog.creditorweb.com/index.php/2007/08/26/seven-wonders-of-the-atm-world/

I don't think they are intended for blind people that drive. But for the walk up ATM's that blind people may utilize on a regular basis. But all the units have braille on them, and some of the units end up in the drive-up ATM spots. Thats my theory, anyway.

This is only a guess but I think they make all atms the same and then just put them where they are needed!!!

They are there so people who are visually impaired can deposit and take out money from their accounts.

Because all ATMs have braille, and it is not worth while making a special keyboard for drive-ups.

Because all the ATMs are made in the same place, and the factory has no way of knowing where any given ATM will be placed. I'm sorry... I couldn't come up with a funny answer. ^_^

Its a scare tactic! To get you to come inside.

So that you can continue using it after you are blinded by seeing the account balance.

I walk up to those ATM's quite often during the night time hours for regular use. Maybe that's one reason?

Because as Die said people are allowed to walk up to ATM machines... even drive-thru ATM's so blind people need to be able to operate the keys when needed. That and I think all buttons are made the same in general so every button has brail for that reason.

what blind people cant drive?

lol-have asked this question many a time-i know the answer is the keypads are made for anywhere-no sense in making a different one just for drive ups but still strikes me as funny-in our kitchen at the restaurant our commercial microwaves have braille on their keypads also-as you can imagine this is cause for much speculation also---take a couple of points--smile and enjoy the day

How about stop buttons on buses? If you're blind that you don't know where you are or where you should get off! And that's if you manage to find the stop button first! And really, what else could it be? A panic button?

To warn them a car's coming.

Passenger...backseat.

So the blind drivers can get their cash. LOL!!!

good question...that is, indeed, something to worry about!

Because if someone drives a blind person to the drive thru to get money they need to be able to read it. Not that the blind person will be driving though.

In case a blind person wants to hack your account.

I know sometimes parents pull up to the drive-thru and have their children sitting in the back seat give the order into the speaker at restaurants. Perhaps if the person drives up to an atm with a blind passanger in the back seat, they can complete the transaction. Just a wild guess

I think it's because the ATM parts are mass produced, so it wouldn't be cost effective to manufacture a few specific keypads without braille on them just for drive-throughs

Being "legally blind" is not quite the same as "not being able to see anything." In England, at least, medical conditions are treated on a case-by-case basis when it comes to being issued a driver's licence, and so someone may be legally blind, but have sufficient vision to safely operate a car. In that case, the braille would be useful as an aide to poor vision, not as a replacement for non-existant vision. Also, as someone else pointed out, ATM are mass produced, so all are going to use the same parts.

Probably the same reason cell phone users are warned not to place cell phone batteries in their mouths. Translated: I don't have a clue. (You can't make sense out of nonsense.)

Braille is on US automatic teller machines to bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Most ATMs are not designed specifically for use at a drive through lane. They are stand-alone units that may be placed anywhere. Since the maker has no control over where the units may be installed, they include Braille lettering on *all* the machines they make so they cannot be hit with an ADA violation. Braille lettering is cheap and doesn't impede sighted users. The real problem facing people with sight problems is the currency used in the US. There aren't any physical markers on paper bills that can be read by blind people, so they have much tougher time keeping track of their paper money. A lawsuit against the US Mint has been allowed to proceed on ADA violation grounds. The plaintiffs in this case want the bills made different sized to level the field between sighted and blind people. I disagree with changing the size. There should be simpler ways to permanently attach denomination markers to paper money but the *easiest* way is to get rid of the paper bill. Metal money lasts an average of 30 years but a paper bill seldom lasts more than 2 years.

These drive up ATM machines are also for walk up use as well. Braille is usually put on most everything to aid the blind so they can do for themselves without any help from those that see. Many who are blind do not want others to see them as handicapped or helpless.

Although it doesn't make a lot of sense. It's because of the Americans With Disabilities act.

not everyone drives up to those things, i have seen people walk up to them.. haha

lol. excellent question. They're probably there because they put Braille dots on all ATMs.

The manufacturers of ATMs don't make one version for drive up locations, and a different version for walk up locations. The braille dots are for use on the walk up machines - but since the drive up machines are the *same* machines as the walk ups, the dots are still there. They just don't make ATM machines without them.

Can't discriminate against blind drivers! lol

hahahah, they don't want to discriminate all the blind drivers out there. They need money too.

Well the reason that keypads have braille dots on the middle button is so that blind people can locate the number 5 (always in the middle) and therefore retain independence in using an ATM. Perhaps you could think of another example where someone with a disability needs an adaptation on a piece of kit the rest of us take for granted and ask a question regarding that.....think about the areas of life where it is important to retain confidentiality and independence in managing our money.

Because it's easier to user a standard ATM keyboard for a drive-up unit than to have special ones made without the Braille.

Partially sighted people can still drive sometimes but the braille dots are easier for them than reading the numbers close up.

Do you want another question like that or an answer to this one? i read it like you want a new question simulara kind of thing but everyones answering it for you???

OK, here's a question. Why is it that the more you despise the police the more likely you are to call them over a petty dispute?

its standard in all atm's plus some people drive the blind to the atm and the blind use it from the back seat. you thought it was funny i know ,but that's the reason

blind drivers have the right to get their money out of the bank the easy way too! : O )

Actually, the answer to this is quite simple: The manufacturers of ATM machines install them in institutions like banks, credit unions, malls, stores, and so forth where blind people have ready access to them. It is much cheaper for the manufacturers to make one model of ATM which can be installed everywhere than it would be to make two different models simply to have one that doesn't have braille buttons. Besides...the blind person could be in the back seat of the car!

pretty fucking stupid aint it

Passengers perhaps!

Well, primarily it is because of federal law (why else do stupid things happen most often?) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336 A second possibility is that ATM manufacturers don't want to have to make two molds for cost reasons. Another person mentioned a blind passenger (say in the seat behind the driver for example) or a walk-up blind person but a better question in that case is how does a blind person know what the screen is telling them to do and which buttons to press. ATM's are different, memorizing a system would not be ideal (especially when dealing with your money), even if somebody showed them once and they consistently went to the same ATM, the might put in a new/different ATM. I've seen some with an earphone jack and I suspect that a blind person with the right equipment could plug in and a screen reader might be in place to read them what is on the screen. All in all, I don't think there are enough (any?) blind people that use the ATMs I use to justify braille being there and they all have braille. Furthermore, I think as a blind person I'd rather just go in the bank and talk to a person... Hell, one of the ATMs I'm talking about is inside a secure building and I know for a fact no blind people work there and have never heard of any visiting. It would be cool if there were any blind people on AB who could give us their perspective on this...

Because there may be blind passengers in the vehicle that are going to use it.

Presumably to offer a service to blind people who know a friendly driver

Actually...it's a cost effectiveness thing. It costs the same to make braille keypads as it does to make them without braille. But marketing both options makes it more expensive overall, because the manufacturer has to custom make the ATM's to order with different keypads. So they only make one type of keypad for ALL the ATM's...drive up and walk up.

Because maybe someone took a blind person to the bank so they could get some money out? Just because they are blind does not mean they are dumb and ignorant

yeah why..cost

The same reason there are bot dots on the road, so the blind can drive and or use the ATM. LOL.

I have seen people walk up to drive-thru ATM's, punch in their numbers and extract the cash. Not too many..but more than a few over the past few years. So perhaps that is why.

Maybe they are the standard ATMs (at the drive ups) that always provide braille keypads. They just come that way, maybe...

because all atm machines were manufactured with braille on the keys

It's easier to make all ATMs with Braille keys than it is to make special ones for drive-throughs.

Thats funny, I never thought about it!

omg i wish we had those in the u.k

for drunks

Well I've walked up to a drive up ATM before. There are no walk ups, it's the only one in my town and I don't own a car.

Because half the people out there drive like they're blind.

I suspect they're just using regular ATMs... not making them specialized for the drive-up window. But, this is an interesting concept -- maybe Stevie Wonder sued the bank because he didn't want to give the chauffeur his PIN.

Since blind people cannot see, they cannot drive. Therefore they depend on others to drive them such as a taxi, friend, etc. With that being said, the blind may not want to give their PIN or atm card to the driver. By having braile on the ATM, it allows the blind person to get money on their own.