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Beyond the very meaningfull 'why are we here', and 'What happens after we die', and 'is there really a God' questions, there are simpler ones. Some questions we ask ourtselves daily, and are sought out for us to try and live our lives a bit easier. While others just arouse our curiosity, and make us question our fellow man in hopes that we are truly not as foolish as we feel. In this vast world where there are millions of mysteries that will remain unsolved for ages, I merely wonder one small marvel. Now, stop me if you've heard this question before, but so far, I have gotten many people perplexed over my desire to uncover the truth. Now, it is my complete understanding that Braille aids those visually impaired persons of the world, and it is wonderful. But, why, oh why is there Braille to be found on the keys of our ATM machines?

Now, hear me out. Blind people are not afforded the luxury of being able to drive themselves around. While this is both unfortunate and unfair, it seems to be the best decision for the rest of the world and the DMV (at least they got something right, huh?). Thus, a person that is not able to see, consequently is not able to drive themselves to the bank, and through the drive-thru, and stop to get some cash out. So, why is there Braille on the ATM keys?

Okay, let's say that someone that is blind gets his roommate to drive him down to the ATM to pick up his half of the rent. He inserts his card, but probably not the right side up because he can't see, and then what? The ATM machine does not tell you what button to hit next orally. It gives you directions on the touch screen, and the touchscreen lacks Braille! Hello! The Braille is located on the buttons that hold the numbers, as well as buttons that may be located next to the screens that hold your information and directions of what to do next.

Wait, it gets better! There is also Braille to be found on the sign next to the machine. So the blind people can finger read all about how convenient the banks have made it for us to with-drawl any of our money at any given time. Except for the blind people. So they can read the buttons, but for what reason? They can't use them! They can't read the screen, nor can they see the money being put into, or taken out of the machines.

I am going to venture a guess that banking institutions must add Braille to the machines for legal reasons. But if that were true, then wouldn't the blind person have a case against the banking industry anyhow because even with the added provision of Braille on the machines, it does not assist them in their banking needs. I just don't understand how this could be overlooked, unless someone was blind.

All joking aside, this does not make sense to me. If I was fortunate enough to know someone that is sight impaired, I would ask. But since I do not, I must wonder about this forever? This leads me to even bigger questions; don't the blinde have spokespeople that investigate these things? If they do, why isn't something done or said about it? I believe that if financial institutions are doing all they can to assist the handicapped, this is not the way to do so. I believe that someone should investigate this, and perhaps give the blinde people of this world a more just compensation than this.

Learn more about this author, Shawna Blake.
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