Accessible banking

Accessible banking entails a commitment to the following:

• Providing a welcoming environment to all customers, regardless of disability; 
• Assistance for individuals with cognitive, hearing, speech, or vision impairments; 
• Audio-assisted ATMs in convenient and accessible locations; 
• An optimized web experience for bank account transactions that makes online and mobile banking easy for all customers to use; and 
• A commitment to making mobile and online banking easy for all customers to use and a dedicated ADA compliance-banking program that aids in the realization of digital accessibility commitments in banking.

Digital accessibility in banking

It is estimated that roughly three-quarters of all Americans (73 percent) have virtual access to their bank accounts. Because not all digital platforms are up to the task, approximately 27 percent of American adults with disabilities are unable to access their bank accounts virtually.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by any organization that does business with the general public. Title III of the ADA requires banks to treat all customers equally, including those with and without disabilities. 

Making your website, apps, PDF documents, and other banking-related technologies accessible to people with disabilities are what ADA compliance banking entails.

Significant innovations spurring accessibility in banking

Banks and other financial institutions are increasingly emphasizing empathy and inclusion, and they are taking the time to learn about how their banking and financial products and services are perceived by people with disabilities. 

They see accessibility as something that must be woven into the fabric of their customer experience, across all channels of their operations, rather than as a final step in the manufacturing process.

Here are three significant innovations that are spearheading the evolution of accessible banking:

1. Advanced self-service banking using XTM machines

Banks are increasing banking accessibility by offering advanced banking services, specifically through sign language. A Turkish bank, for example, employs XTM machines that enable self-service transactions with representative assistance via video calls in sign language. XTM branches are located throughout Turkey and provide hearing-impaired people with ADA compliance banking as well as other financial ADA accessibility solutions, whether they are customers or not.

2. Enhancing flexibility, security, and usability through e-branches

Banks are increasingly designing banking products and services that are fully accessible to people with visual and hearing impairments, as well as those with mobility issues. For example, a bank in Greece has established e-branches with the goal of providing comfortable and accessible spaces that provide the benefits of Internet banking while simplifying the emerging common challenges.

The e-branches provide visually impaired customers with assistance from a representative as well as the ability to use Internet banking with voice support. It offers digital transactions with the assistance of sign language representatives. The e-branches also provide easily accessible machine heights, as well as guidance from representatives, making them ideal for people with mobility issues.

3. The digital interpreter tools

Customers who have difficulty communicating can use the digital interpreter tool to communicate with bank branch managers via video in sign language. Even if the branch manager does not know sign language, the tool provides 3D animation to help with communication.

This innovation improves the customer experience while also increasing the customer's privacy. This is because, traditionally, an interpreter would be used in such situations.

Get help with innovations to spur financial ADA accessibility

ADA Compliance Pros offers valuable insights into how to revolutionize your banking to provide ADA compliance banking. 

One of the key industries that ADA Compliance Pros focuses on is online banking accessibility, which is receiving significant attention from banks and institutions committed to financial inclusion. You can contact ADA Compliance Pros by clicking this link or calling (626) 486-2201.