Just wanted to share a story of responding when we encounter inaccessibility. A few years ago, I had stopped by the Defence Colony Petrol Pump to fill petrol. After filling the tank, I was presented with a POS machine with a touch screen. I told the pump attendant that I was blind and could not key in my pin. He asked me to share my pin and he volunteered to do the needful. I was disturbed and wrote about this experience in the Hindustan Times. I also mentioned in the article other issues that we blind people face with regards banking.
A lawyer friend who read the article called me and asked me to take the matter up to the Delhi High Court. So a case was filed. Around the same time BGFI and AICB too had filed cases in the Court on issues related to accessibility in Banking. Hearing after hearing happened and a few years passed by. No real progress was made. My lawyer and I proposed to the court that a High Powered Committee be set up comprising the various stakeholders to discuss the access issues and make recommendations. So an HPC was setup under the Chairmanship of Prof Balakrishnan of IIT Delhi. Amar Jain and I were also members of this committee. RBI and MSJE were also represented on the committee. The HPC met several times over a year and a half. A report was presented to the court. The Judge ordered the RBI and the Govt to respond. The RBI Directive is a result of these efforts put in by various individuals and NGOs. The point I would like to make here is that we need to raise our voices when we are challenged by indifference, non implementation of the law or issues of access. We need to be persistent and patient. Perseverance does pay. George From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Prashant Naik Sent: 11 October 2024 23:17 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AI] Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Guidelines on Facilitating accessibility to digital payment systems for Persons with Disabilities Dear All, This is a significant milestone achieved by advocates like Amar Jain, Rahul Bajaj, and other key stakeholders, including the CCPD and others. A big congratulations and appreciation to all of you! Those of us in the financial accessibility domain have long awaited the RBI’s guidance, aligning with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services' notification on accessibility standards and guidelines for the banking sector, dated 2nd February 2024. Today’s RBI circular (RBI/2024-25/83 CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S-708/02-12-004/2024-25), titled “Facilitating Accessibility to Digital Payment Systems for Persons with Disabilities – Guidelines,” has fulfilled that long-standing wish. Let’s continue our efforts in advocating for accessible products and services from financial institutions. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Amar and the Mission Accessibility team for this remarkable achievement and breakthrough. Best regards, Prashant Naik On Fri, 11 Oct 2024 at 20:01, Yamuna Jivana Dasa <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Wow this is big! Now for implementation. Hats off to all who made this happen. Thanks Amar for sharing. There’s hope. From: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] On Behalf Of Amar Jain Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 11:27 AM To: Accessindia <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: [AI] Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Guidelines on Facilitating accessibility to digital payment systems for Persons with Disabilities Dear all, On October 11, 2024, RBI has issued a circular to all payment system participants to (i) Review their payment systems / devices in terms of accessibility to persons with disabilities; (ii) carry out modifications such that the payment systems / devices can be accessed and used with ease by persons with disabilities; For the said purpose, the accessibility standards issued by <https://www.linkedin.com/company/indian-ministry-of-finance/> Indian Ministry of Finance for the banking sector may be followed, to the extent applicable. Which means that the payment systems and devices may be made compliant with Indian Standard 17802 parts one and two of Bureau of Indian Standards as amended; and (iii) all payment system participants are required to submit an action plan within one month containing details of their payment systems / devices that need to be modified along with timelines and details of the nodal officer who can be contacted for any clarifications / queries by RBI in this regard. While adopting any solution for the said purpose, PSPs should ensure that security is not compromised. This directive issued under Section 18 and 10(2) of the PSS Act, 2007 would ensure all entities that operate payment systems such as a payment gateways, payment wallets, point of sale devices, amongst others will have to make their digital assets accessible. All the PSPs should opt-in services of competent accessibility professionals / service providers in order to ensure compliance with the said directive in letter and spirit. As the active users of digital payment systems it is our responsibility to pass on any accessibility issue that we face with any of the apps, websites, including payment wallets, payment gateways, point of sale devices that facilitates payments, not only to their top management, but also copy on the email to RBI using the email address: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Regards, Amar Jain Mobile: +91-9892622230 Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. 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