NEWS
For Immediate Release
CONTACT
Janet Merz
Washington State School for the Blind
(360) 696-6321, extension 120
janet.merz@wssb.wa.gov
Danette LaChapelle
Senior Vice President of
Marketing
iQ Credit Union
Direct: (360) 992-4242
Email: danettel@iqcu.com
Washington
State School for the Blind
partners with iQ
Credit Union
to install
Clark County’s first accessible ATM
VANCOUVER, Wash. — June 27,
2007 — The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) and iQ Credit Union have joined forces to install an
accessible ATM with voice guidance features on the school’s campus. This is the
first accessible ATM to be placed in a school district in Clark County.
“What a great day this is
for students at WSSB to be able to have this independent experience thanks to iQ Credit Union,” said Dr. Dean Stenehjem, Washington State
School for the Blind Superintendent. “I hope that this accessible ATM can serve
as an example so that many more of these types of ATMs can appear throughout
our community.”
“We’re always looking for
better ways of serving all of our members, no matter what their special
circumstances might be,” said Roger Michaelis, iQ Credit Union
CEO. “This was our first experience with
installing and using a voice guidance ATM.
The manufacturer, Diebold, Inc., has worked closely with the National
Federation of the Blind to improve the accessibility features of these
machines. We’re pleased to help students at the school have access to more
systems and equipment that enhance their independence.”
The ATM will be accessible both for
students and for all organizations that lease space on the campus including
City of Vancouver Police Department, Educational Service District 112,
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium, and the Department of Services for
the Blind. In addition, a number of public agencies and community groups bring
approximately 50,000 people to use the campus facilities each year that will
enjoy this added convenience.
The
Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, requires reasonable
accommodations be provided for visually impaired individuals at ATMs. The
proposed new ADA Guidelines rule stipulates voice guidance is to be provided at
ATMs in order allow visually impaired individuals equal access to the ATMs. The
ATM installed at WSSB uses both Braille and voice guidance to help users with
the machine.
About the Washington State School for the Blind
The
Washington State School for the Blind provides specialized quality educational
services to over 600 visually impaired youth ages birth to 21 within the state
of Washington. The school also serves as
a statewide demonstration and resource center providing direct and indirect
services to students both on campus and in the children’s local
communities. Services are provided to
families, educators, and others interested in assisting visually impaired youth
to become independent and contributing citizens.
About iQ Credit Union
iQ Credit Union has provided members with intelligent
financial services that deliver unbeatable value since 1940. The Credit Union
helps members make smarter banking decisions so they can maximize their
finances and enjoy life’s journey. Today, iQ serves
over 39,000 members through eight retail branches, six student-run high school
campus branches and a centrally located Operations Center. Members have access
to a nationwide network of 25,000+ fee free ATMs. And as part of a shared
branching network, members can visit more than 2,400 credit union branches in
46 states to access their accounts when they’re out of the area.
iQ Credit Union believes that part of being a good neighbor
means giving something back to the communities – and people – they serve. iQ values partnerships with local schools, area hospitals
and other charitable groups. Through their core mission of “improving
children’s lives,” iQ raised over $230,000 in 2007
alone for local children’s charities. iQ Credit Union
was again named one of the best 100 Companies to Work for in Washington for 2007.
From the newest staff member to the most seasoned veteran, iQ
Credit Union is proud to be part of the community.