Making banking accessible for all the mission
Everyday banking resources are set to undergo a transformation in a bid to make them more accessible for all Australians, including those living with a disability.
ATMs, Eftpos, online banking and other related apps will soon need to meet new electronic accessibility standards after they are reviewed by the Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA).
The ABA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Diane Tate believes the future of banking is rapidly changing and says the goal is to make it as “easy as possible” for everybody.
“We need to ensure that standards today enable all Australians to enjoy equal access to banking, which is a vital part of modern life,” she says.
Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes has been appointed by the ABA to lead the review of current accessibility standards.
“We look forward to Graeme’s insights into what the industry can do to achieve this,” Ms Tate says.
He and TCC Strategic Consulting will work with stakeholders including the disability sector, banks, government agencies and the technology sector as part of the overarching review.
“As a former Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission I am passionate about equality and access to services,” Dr Innes said.
“Technology has moved so quickly that we need to ensure that products are not just fit for today, but also for the future.”
“I applaud the ABA for seeking to consult broadly with a range of organisations in the banking and disability sectors and myself and TCC strategic are looking forward to being involved in this review.”
This announcement follows a wave of new credit and debit cards from ANZ to give further support to the vision impaired community.
The upcoming review will look at existing standards, accessible authentication principles, existing bank accessibility plans, and domestic and international best practices.