Banks disable the visually impaired BANGALORE: If you're visually challenged, you can certainly play the piano, but you can't get money out of most ATM machines in hi-tech Bangalore.
It is surprising that though ATM facilities are widely available, the visually challenged are unable to make use of them -- all because some banks allegedly refuse to provide ATM cards, while others do not even open accounts. Anil Kumar, 25, working as a manager and also doing a company secretary course, is among those who have been denied an ATM card. He had approached State Bank of Mysore at JP Nagar and his application was allegedly rejected. Though RBI has directed banks to issue ATM cards to the visually challenged, some city banks do not follow the guidelines. Kolkata and Delhi have ATMs specially designed for the blind, which Bangalore lacks. Anil is confident of using the ATM machine. "We require orientation to use ATMs, for which some of my visually challenged friends help me. But I should first get an ATM card. I applied at SBM, close to my house in JP Nagar, but could not get it. So also in Chamarajpet SBM branch. The bank manager asked me to give the RBI document which directs banks to issue ATM cards and cheque books to the visually challenged," said Anil. Anil's brother, who is also visually challenged, has access to an ATM through HDFC. "In Karnataka, no efforts have been made to design ATMs for the visually challenged. But people like my brother have got used to the existing ATM machine. Those with touch-screen facility are a little difficult to use," says Anil. Canara Bank and ICICI do offer ATM cards, but only at a few branches, claims Girish Vasanth, coordinator of Young Voices, a group of visually challenged educated persons. "The same cooperation is not found in all branches. If we can be employed in IT companies and work on par with others, why can't we have ATM cards, cheque books and independent accounts?" Girish asks. THE RULE BOOK The Reserve Bank of India issued a circular dated June 4, 2008, stating that all banks must render the same service to all clients, without discrimination. The circular declared that banks must provide the visually impaired with every facility, including cheque book, third-party cheques, ATM, net banking, locker, retail loans, credit cards etc. SPECIAL ATMs FOR THEM Banks should have ATMs specially designed for the visually-challenged. According to the 2001 census, there are 4 lakh visually challenged persons in Karnataka, of who 1 lakh are in Bangalore. Bank accounts are given to only well-educated persons. But most of them discontinue education after SSLC. ATMs must have Braille embossing and we are ready to provide banks with the required support. PK Paul | founder-trustee of indian disabled league foundation TALKING ATM ICICI Bank set up a `Talking ATM for the Visually Impaired', the first of its kind in the country in Pune, for a test run in 2002. Such ATMs have wheelchair access, large display for users with partial vision, Braille-enabled function keys and guide labels, card reader, receipt, cash dispenser, depositor, bunch cash presenter for ease in collecting cash, personalized headphone jack with voice control features, voice-guided transactions and integrated digital video recorder for enhanced security. In August 2010, a talking ATM was installed in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. SBM VERSION In answer to the controversy, State Bank fo Mysore chief manager's office had this to say... Q: How has your bank empowered visually challenged customers? Have you provided them ATM cards and cheque books? A: Visually challenged persons are permitted to open savings bank accounts with cheque book facility. Q: The RBI issued a circular stating that banks must render all services to visually impaired clients. There are complaints that you have denied them ATM cards and cheque books... A: Locker facility is denied only for minors. Q: Why cannot SBM make its services disabled-friendly? What are the risks? A. Providing ATM and net banking facility is under process. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Banks-disable-the-visually-impaired/articleshow/7745596.cms Vikas Kapoor, MSN Id: dl_vi...@hotmail.com, Yahoo&Skype Id: dl_vikas, Mobile: (+91) 9891098137. 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
