The UK has become the first country in the world to introduce common national accessibility guidelines for payment cards, with UK Finance launching its new Accessible Cards Code of Practice.
Developed in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the British Dyslexia Association, Mastercard, Visa, Idemia, accessibility experts and consumer advocates, the voluntary Code aims to make payment cards easier to use for people with disability, including those who are blind or with low vision and dyslexia.
Under the new standards, cards will feature tactile notches to help users identify card types by touch, following Mastercard’s Touch Card™ specification. Debit cards will have a round notch, credit cards a square notch, and other payment cards, such as prepaid cards, a triangular notch.
The guidelines also introduce minimum font sizes for card information, requirements for non-reflective text on matte surfaces, the use of clear sans serif fonts, and minimum colour contrast standards to improve readability and identification.
At least 10 card issuers representing around 80 per cent of the UK card issuing market have committed to adopting the Code. Accessible cards are expected to begin rolling out during the first half of next year.
While accessible payment cards are already available from several Australian banks, the UK’s new industry-wide standard demonstrates the benefits of a consistent national approach. A similar framework in Australia could help create a more uniform and accessible experience for people with disability, regardless of which financial institution they bank with.
For more information, please read UK Finance’s article on the UK’s new accessible standards for payment cards.