RBI Directive: Talking ATMs With Braille Keypads In Commercial Banks
RBI Directive: Talking ATMs With Braille Keypads In Commercial Banks
In a move that provided fresh hope for persons with disabilities, the RBI has issued a directive to provide “talking ATMS” which will come with audible instructions and Braille keypads for customers in commercial banks. The directive will take effect from July, 2014. This directive comes after the RBI had provided advice to banks in 2009 to make bank branches and ATMs accessible to people with disabilities. The directive had also instructed to make at least one-thir of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.
RBI has now issued the notification that all banks should install the new ATMS from July 1 this year. Banks will now to have to lay down a roadmap for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and this may be reviewed from time to time.
RBI has also asked the banks to make necessary arrangements to provide all existing ATMs and future ATMs with ramps so that persons with disabilities as well as wheelchair users can access them with ease.
RBI has also issued the directive that the height of the ATM is fine for those who are using wheelchairs. This requirement may be dispensed with in cases where it is impracticable to provide the ramps.
RBI has also asked the banks to provide magnifying glasses at all bank branches for persons who have low vision. The bank branches have also been directed to display the notice about the availability of magnifying glasses and other facilities for persons with disabilities.
To ensure compliance of the new directives, the central bank has asked all commercial banks to report their progress regarding this on a periodic basis to the customer service committee. While commercial banks are understandably driven by the need to make profits, they should make every effort to provide the talking ATMs with Braille keypads so that people with disabilities are not discriminated against when it comes to banking services.
All major financial and banking institutions in the world provide assistive technology to make banking services easier to access for customers with disabilities. Bank of America is one such instance. This bank is known providing accessible web and communication technologies to its customers. Persons with disabilities can therefore access the website with ease an use the services without being burdened in any way.
Its website is based on design that supports navigation and makes it easier to bank with a screen reader. The pages are coded with a heading structure that enables users to move from one heading to another through key commands. Above each web page are special access links so that you can be directed with ease to the main page you need.
Person with low vision can adjust font sizes on the Bank of America website through their browser with ease. Customers can also place orders for checks with large prints or tactile signature guides and line of credit accounts for the same price as standard checks.
While the Indian banking sector has a long way to go before persons with disabilities can access such services at their websites, it would be a welcome change if the talking ATMs could be installed soon. That would given people with disabilities a chance to access financial services and lead a life of independence and dignity they deserve.
