Differing tactile features and layouts of keypads are among the concerns for people who are blind or have low vision when Personal Identification Numbers (PINS) instead of signatures for authentication of most credit cards and debit cards become mandatory from August 1.
A number of people who are blind or have low vision have contacted Vision Australia to express their concerns over the change.
While the organisation recognises that many people who are blind or have low vision already use PINs when using credit cards, it will still have a big impact on those who will experience challenges adapting to new technology and have limited opportunities to familiarise to it in real-life situations before it takes effect.
In response to these concerns, Vision Australia has held point-of-sale (POS) terminal familiarisation sessions to give people who are blind or have low vision the opportunity to practise on terminals as well as working with Occupational Therapists on strategies to use different terminals.
Vision Australia has also met with representatives from major banks (NAB, ANZ, Westpac Group and Commbank) to highlight the need for consistent terminal infrastructure design so all terminals are familiar at every purchase point.
Vision Australia’s General Manager of Advocacy and Engagement, Maryanne Diamond, said the organisation isn’t opposed to the change it’s just identified the need to support some people who are blind or have low vision with the transition.
“We’re working to remove the barriers in the system so all of our community are able to use this technology with confidence,” she said.
Vision Australia’s Advocacy staff offer services in a range of areas so that people who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind can access any part of life they choose by working with clients to remove any barriers to their participation.
A number of people who are blind or have low vision have contacted Vision Australia to express their concerns over the change.
While the organisation recognises that many people who are blind or have low vision already use PINs when using credit cards, it will still have a big impact on those who will experience challenges adapting to new technology and have limited opportunities to familiarise to it in real-life situations before it takes effect.
In response to these concerns, Vision Australia has held point-of-sale (POS) terminal familiarisation sessions to give people who are blind or have low vision the opportunity to practise on terminals as well as working with Occupational Therapists on strategies to use different terminals.
Vision Australia has also met with representatives from major banks (NAB, ANZ, Westpac Group and Commbank) to highlight the need for consistent terminal infrastructure design so all terminals are familiar at every purchase point.
Vision Australia’s General Manager of Advocacy and Engagement, Maryanne Diamond, said the organisation isn’t opposed to the change it’s just identified the need to support some people who are blind or have low vision with the transition.
“We’re working to remove the barriers in the system so all of our community are able to use this technology with confidence,” she said.
Vision Australia’s Advocacy staff offer services in a range of areas so that people who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind can access any part of life they choose by working with clients to remove any barriers to their participation.