UK Finance has launched a new Accessible Cards Code of Practice, designed to help customers with accessibility needs or impaired vision use payment cards in-store and online.

The Code means the UK is the first country in the world to have national common accessibility guidelines for flat printed payment cards.

The new guidelines cover physical texture and design, colour contrast standards, and legibility of words and numbers. The Code has been developed in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), British Dyslexia Association and other accessibility experts, consumer advocates, and the payments industry, including Mastercard, Visa, and Idemia and in line with our commitment to the government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Cards will have a notch or indent so that customers can identify the card type by touch: a round notch for debit cards, a square notch for credit cards, and a triangular notch for other payment cards (e.g. prepaid and savings cards) – adopting the Mastercard Touch CardTM specification.

The Code is voluntary, although there are at least 10 participating firms intending to use the Code, representing around 80 per cent of the card issuing market. Some firms plan to apply the Code across all their payment cards, while others plan to issue them only to customers with accessibility needs.  A full list of participating providers can be seen here.

The cards using the Code to be rolled out by the first half of next year. Accessible cards already in issue will remain in circulation for sustainability reasons; providers may wish to use their stock of existing accessible cards before issuing cards that use the Code. Over time, cards using the Code will organically replace all accessible payment cards for those issuers using the Code.

Jana Mackintosh, Managing Director of Payments and Innovation at UK Finance, said “Card systems have made great strides in improving designs so that their cards are accessible for people with additional needs. We wanted to create a consistent and simple way to enhance the experience to card users by ensuring consistency across the market. Card providers do not need to be a UK Finance member to adopt this Code, and we’d encourage as many firms as possible to use this guidance.”

Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said “People shouldn’t have to struggle to do something as routine as paying with a card. This Code is a practical step that will make it easier for people with sight loss, dyslexia or other needs to use their cards day to day.

“UK Finance has worked with experts, industry and consumers to pave the way with this work, setting a new international benchmark for accessible card design in line with the inclusive design aims of our Financial Inclusion Strategy, and others should follow their lead, so more people can use their cards with confidence and without having to relearn different designs from one provider to the next.”

Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, Managing Director of RNIB Enterprises, said “Designing financial products, such as flat bank cards, with accessibility in mind is essential if we are to build a banking system that works for the majority of users. We’re proud to have partnered with UK Finance and contributed our expertise to this Code and look forward to seeing firms implement it. To have a baseline of accessibility that firms can adhere to will benefit many consumers and will reduce the need for specialist adaptations. When accessibility is built in from the start, it improves the experience for all customers.”

Simon Forbes, Divisional President UK & Ireland, Mastercard, said “I’m incredibly proud that Mastercard’s Touch Card specifications will become the new industry standard for more inclusive, accessible cards across the UK. We believe in applying our technology and innovation to create a world where opportunity is available to everyone, everywhere. That means sharing ideas which drive financial inclusion and allow people to pay and get paid, regardless of impairments or additional needs.”

Rob Cameron, Group Country Manager for UK & Ireland, Visa said “These common guidelines are a great example of the industry working together with Government to enable people to make payments simply and confidently. We look forward to partnering with our issuer clients in delivering accessible card designs for their customers.”

Source: Credit Connect