Dear List,
There is a positive update on denial of banking services to visually impaired customers. In December 2017, Indian Banks Association (IBA) issued a letter to its member banks’ chief executives with a request to add a webpage on their respective Bank’s Corporate Websites & also making available copy of ‘Bankers’ Guide for Customers with Disabilities’ on the website. This is an outcome of advocacy and lobbying with IBA as part of IBA Working Group on Banking Facilities for Persons with Special Needs. Our moderator Harish Kotian, Kanchan Pamnani, Ketan Kothari and Dr. Sam Taraporevala are part of the working group. I am part of all the meetings as my bank’s representative with good understanding of both banks and visually impaired perspective. Working group/committee also has many bankers from different banks. Considering banking services denial is mainly an awareness issue with bankers (branch staff) due to their lack of knowledge on various policies, acts and circulars, one of the solution suggested by us was circulation of webpage template for Bank Websites along with Bankers’ Guide. The template to be used as a Model document by the banks. Banks may provide a link to this page on its home page and name it appropriately such as “Inclusive Banking” or “Banking Facilities for Persons with Special Needs” or “Accessible & Inclusive Banking”. Harish, Kanchan, Ketan, Dr. Sam and I have worked significantly in developing webpage template for IBA and compilation of all the banking related circulars, acts, rules, etc. as a guide for bankers. It’s good to see more than 10 banks have implemented this solution as on date. This may help us a lot as in case of denial we can request bank staff to check his/her bank’s website where information related to his/her bank’s commitment to serve disabled without discrimination is mentioned. Page also have internal circular numbers, talking ATM list, grievance contact information, web accessibility commitment and bankers’ guide book. I have worked extensively in 2016 & 2017 in compiling bankers guide book with multiple versions and updations. Happy to see finally it’s approved by IBA committee and made available by banks for download. Below is a list of banks and direct links to the page “Services for Persons with Disabilities” Punjab National Bank - Services for Customers with Disabilities https://www.pnbindia.in/Services-for-Customers-with-Disabilities.html Corporation Bank - Services for Customers with Disabilities https://corpbank.com/node/134534 Bank of Baroda - Services for Customers with Disabilities https://www.bankofbaroda.com/services-for-customers-with-disabilities.htm Vijaya Bank - Banking Facilities for Customers with disabilities https://www.vijayabank.com/Help-Desk/Banking-Facilities-for-Customers-with-disabilities Andhra Bank - Banking Facilities for persons with special needs https://www.andhrabank.in/english/Banking-Facilities-for-Persons-with-Special-Needs.aspx Syndicate Bank - Banking Facilities for Persons with Special Needs https://www.syndicatebank.in/english/FacilitiesforPersonswithSpecialNeeds.aspx Yes Bank - Services For Customers With Disabilities https://www.yesbank.in/services-for-customers-with-disabilities Citibank India – PDF file Services for customers with disabilities https://www.online.citibank.co.in/portal/pdf/Services-for-Customers-with-Disabilities.pdf Bandhan Bank – services for customers with disabilities https://www.bandhanbank.com/Disabilities.aspx HDFC Bank – PDF file Bankers' guide for customers with special needs and PWD - HDFC Bank https://www.hdfcbank.com/assets/pdf/bankers_guide.pdf UCO bank – PDF file Bankers’ Guide https://www.ucobank.com/pdf/BANKERS%27%20GUIDE.pdf Kotak Mahindra bank - PDF file List of branches which have ramp https://www.kotak.com/content/dam/Kotak/Customer-Service/Important-Customer-Information/List-of-Branches-with-Ramps/list-of-branches-with-ramps.pdf Banks need to put more efforts on awareness through regular emails and internal publications. Also, IBA needs to do follow up with banks for implementation of webpage and updation of old circulars on banking facilities for visually challenged and removal of discriminatory procedures. We can spread above development for better reach in our community. We have to be well informed before visiting bank branch for banking services. Visit https://talkingatmindia.org/Resources.aspx page regularly for updated info on more banks with webpage on services for customers with disabilities and banking circulars as well as to download Indian Banks Association Bankers's Guide 2017. Kind regards, Prashant Naik 9967968881 Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. 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