RBI: Every 3rd new ATM be disabled friendly, talking with Braille keypads

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for banks to install talking ATMs with Braille keypads in each locality for catering to the needs of visually impaired persons.

In a notification issued on Wednesday, RBI advised banks to provide 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." In effect, Urban cooperative banks (UCBs) are now advised to take appropriate steps to provide ramps at the entrance of the bank branches so that 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 Board of Directors/Customer Service Committee of the Board and ensure compliance. In cases where it is impracticable to provide such ramp facilities, whether permanently fixed to earth or otherwise, the requirement may be dispensed with, for reasons recorded or displayed in branches or ATMs concerned.

The central bank 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. It is, therefore, advised that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.