PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact:

Doris Koop, CCB MB Division Coordinator
204-793-0245
dorisrkoop@gmail.com

February 24, 2010

Winnipeg - On Wednesday February 24th at 10:30 a.m. Canadian Council of the Blind Manitoba Division will present this year’s Inclusion Award in Winnipeg. The CCB MB will present the 2010 Inclusion Award to BMO Bank of Montreal. Accepting the award will be Richard Jaques, Vice-President, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario District, BMO Bank of Montreal.

"We are honouring BMO for their inclusion of voice output on all their automated banking machines," says Doris Koop, CCB MB Division Coordinator. "While other financial institutions have made individual ABMs accessible, BMO has recognized the need to make this service available at all of their ABMs."

“My colleagues and I at BMO are extremely proud of this 2010 Inclusion Award that recognizes our efforts to assist customers with visual impairment and to provide them with greater freedom and independence to do their banking”, said Rick Jaques, Vice-President, Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario, BMO Bank of Montreal. “This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to make our services more accessible to customers, and a key element in building on our promise to be the bank that defines great customer service,” added Mr. Jaques.

The voice output feature allows anyone to plug into the machine using common headsets used for portable music players. Once plugged in the user will hear private voice instructions when conducting an ABM transaction. A unique added safety feature is that users can choose to turn the screen off for added safety. ABM's will be demonstrated by a vision impaired user. Members of the Vision Impaired Community and Representatives from both organizations will be available to comment.

Each year the CCB MB Division presents the Inclusion Award to a company, group or individual who has created or expanded a service or product which increases the opportunities for Manitobans who are blind or vision impaired.

“We are very happy that BMO took this initiative and even happier to present them this award,” said Koop. “They are clearly deserving of the award.” BMO launched the technology in 2009 with the help of London, Ontario based company, Phoenix Interactive.

BMO Bank of Montreal offers fully personalized large-print cheques with perforated guidelines as well as statements in Braille.

The CCB deals with the ongoing effects of blindness with programs to encourage active participation in local communities, education, sports and recreation and employment.

Event Location:

BMO Bank of Montreal Concourse Level 335 Main St – Winnipeg, MB