Mumbai, Jun 12 (KNN) Raising concern over the banks not being disabled friendly, RBI has pointed that some banks have not yet made even one third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads as advised through its circulars. The apex bank has asked the banks to make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

In a move to make access to bank branches and ATMs easier for the disabled persons, RBI has been instructing the banks to take necessary steps to provide facilities like ramps for wheelchair users, low talking ATMs with Braille keypads, and magnifying glasses in all bank branches.

“It is observed that some banks have not yet made at least one third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads as advised vide our circular referred to above,” RBI said.

“It is, therefore, advised that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and lay down a road map for converting existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads as advised in our circular dated April 24, 2009 and the same may be reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors/Customer Service Committee of the Board,” it added.

RBI had received several suggestions from members of public through Government of India and otherwise, on facilitating easy access to bank branches and ATMs by persons with disabilities for undertaking day to day banking transactions.

“…banks were advised to provide, inter alia, ramps in all existing and future ATMs, and make at least one third of new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads. It was also advised to ensure that at least one talking ATM with Braille keypad is generally available in each locality for catering to the needs of visually impaired persons,” RBI said in a notification.

RBI has also instructed the banks to make arrangements in such a way that the height of the ATMs do not create an impediment in the use by wheelchair users. “However, in cases where it is impracticable to provide such ramp facilities, whether permanently fixed to earth or otherwise, this requirement may be dispensed with, for reasons recorded and displayed in branches or ATMs concerned,” the apex bank said.

Banks are also to take appropriate steps, including providing of ramps at the entrance of the bank branches, wherever feasible, so that the persons with disabilities/wheel chair users can enter bank branches and conduct business without difficulty.

“Banks are advised to report the progress made in this regard periodically to their respective Customer Service Committee of the Board and ensure compliance,” RBI notification added.

“Further, it has come to our notice that some of the banks have not made at least one third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads as advised vide circular referred to above. It is, therefore, reiterated that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as talking ATMs with Braille keypads,” pointed RBI.

Banks should lay down a road map for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and the same may be reviewed from time to time by the Customer Service Committee of the Board, it added.

Further, the country’s central bank suggested that the magnifying glasses should also be provided in all bank branches for the use of persons with low vision, wherever they require for carrying out banking transactions with ease.

“The branches should display at a prominent place notice about the availability of magnifying glasses and other facilities available for persons with disabilities,” RBI notification said. (KNN/SD)