FleetBoston installing talking ATMs for blind

BOSTON – As part of its program to make its ATMs more accessible to its blind and visually impaired customers, FleetBoston announced that it is installing 17 talking ATMs in Rhode Island among the 1,420 such machines the company announced last February that it would install. The company said 50 of the machines are operating in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The ATMs have a jack for attachment of an earpiece or earphones. By listening to instructions through the attachment, the customer will be guided through the steps required to make deposits, withdrawals, transfers etc. FleetBoston has agreed to supply free earphones at its branches or by telephone arrangement.