Excellent write up; apt for spreading awareness. It sutes the occasion too.
On 12/3/19, Kotian, H P <hpkot...@rbi.org.in> wrote: > > All > This mail did not get on the list. > Quoting: > > Not just a ramp, online banking needs to be accessible too > > I recall, once on my way back from work, my driver stopped at a petrol pump > to refuel the car. When it was time to pay, I was handed a card swipe > machine with a touch screen to complete the transaction. Being a blind user, > I wondered how I was expected to key in my password without a screen reading > software installed in the machine. The sales representative suggested that I > let my driver put in the confidential code, which I refused and insisted for > a machine with a keypad. Reluctantly, the representative got me a machine > with a keypad. On any keypad or dial pad, the digit 5 is highlighted with a > dotted tactile impression which helps blind people orient and locate other > numbers around to press the desired ones. > > In another incident, I received a call from my bank's Relationship Manager > informing me about the recent upgrade of the mobile banking app. When I > downloaded the updated version and tried to transfer funds using the app, > the 'confirm' button was not read out by the screen reader on my phone, > preventing me from carrying out the transaction independently. On the > contrary, before the app upgrade, the process was quite accessible. The > state of affairs is such that on calling up customer care support to report > this glitch, it took me half-an-hour to explain to the executive what > accessibility of online banking means for a person with vision impairment. > > On another occasion, I had to take my daughter's help because I was unable > to click the fund transfer button on my computer even while using the > keyboard. She was able to help me by maneuvering the mouse on the > 'displayed' menu items, which I didn't have any way of accessing. Unlike > their sighted counterparts, blind people like me engage with the digital > space using screen readers like voice-overs, TalkBack, NVDA (Nonvisual > Desktop Access), JAWS (Job Access with Speech) through their smartphones or > computers. When using computers, we navigate using the keyboard's 'tab' or > 'arrow' key. Similarly, on the phone, we swipe and select through > double-tapping on the screen. > > Banks and technology developers either lack awareness about accessibility or > do not consider visually-impaired people an integral part of their user > base, which is a matter of concern. The fact is that successful blind > professionals are working across various streams and contribute effectively > to the country's economy. They rely heavily on banking services, including > the monthly remunerations to be credited into their accounts. > > The Reserve Bank of India mandates that banking should be inclusive for > persons with disabilities. Inclusion does not merely imply having > accessibility provisions at the bank. Online banking facilities also need to > be made accessible. At a time when we have ATMs, internet banking, > e-Wallets, Apps and other technologically advanced banking services and > digital platforms, all financial services should be fully accessible. > However, the sad reality is that only a handful of these services cater to > the needs of visually-impaired customers. > > Denial of accessible banking services further increases the dependence of > blind citizens on sighted peers making them vulnerable and invading their > privacy. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 mandates that all > public facilities and services including financial and banking services > should be accessible to all. > > To realize the dream of an 'inclusive' India, first and foremost the > accessibility barriers need to be broken down. > > https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/not-just-a-ramp-online-banking-needs-to-be-accessible-too-opinion/story-Ha8iZP1OeZZVRaJoZXHTpL.html > > > > > George Abraham > CEO > Score Foundation > 17/107 LGF > Vikram Vihar > Lajpat Nagar 4 > New Delhi 110024 > Email: geo...@eyeway.org > Ph: +91 11 26472581/2 > Mob: +91 9810934040 > Website: www.scorefoundation.org.in , www.eyeway.org > Twitter: @georgebhai > Eyeway Helpdesk: 1800 53 20469 > > > > ________________________________ > > Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls > asking for personal information such as your bank account details, > passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. 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The Reserve Bank of India accepts no liability for > any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. > Celebrating World Disability Day! > > > > 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. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > -- सादर/ Regards अविनाश शाही/ Avinash Shahi सहायक/ Assistant मानव संसाधन प्रबंध विभाग/ Human Resource Management Department भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक/ Reserve Bank of India लखनऊ क्षेत्रीय कार्यालय/Lucknow RO विस्तार/ Extension: 2232 Celebrating World Disability Day! 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. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
