American Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was first enacted in the United States in 1990. It covers a wide range of issues relating to the accessibility of goods and services by those with some type of disability. The US Government classifies approximately 43 million Americans with some type of disability. The most common disabilities are blindness (between 10 and 11 million American are legally blind, defined as: corrected vision of no greater than 20/200), and paralysis or other conditions that require the use of a wheelchair to get around.

Automated Teller Machines were one of the first "products" singled out for specific regulation by the ADA guidelines. The regulations for ATMs became law in 1992 and have not changed much in 10 years. Today, technology has advanced well beyond what was available in 1992, so changes to the current rules are in the works.