Visual Impairment: Financial Services

In November last year, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for Government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK.

This includes a focus on inclusive design and accessibility. As part of this, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessible, tactile, features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. Following a commitment in the Strategy, UK Finance published a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards earlier this year, which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms.

The Strategy also includes the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group which will consider submissions from consumer representatives on how to make products more accessible. UK Finance are leading this initiative and plan to publish a roadmap by the end of the year setting out its priorities.

The Government is continuing to work collaboratively with industry and consumer representatives to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and lived experience.