4 December 2006
Commissioner Innes welcomes progress in banking access
Human Rights Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Disability Discrimination, Graeme Innes AM, today congratulated the Australian Bankers" Association (ABA) and its members on progress made in the area of accessible electronic banking.
The ABA has released Accessibility of Electronic Banking: Progress Report 2006 to coincide with International Day of Disabled Persons (3 December).
"This is the second progress report issued by the ABA since the introduction of voluntary industry standards on electronic banking in 2002. It shows considerable progress has been made in improving access to these services," said Commissioner Innes.
The ABA developed voluntary industry standards in the areas of ATMs, EFTPOS, telephone and internet banking following a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry in 2000 which found that people with disabilities and older people were in danger of being on the wrong side of the digital divide.
"The industry standards are designed to ensure that people with disabilities are able to benefit from the convenience of electronic banking," Mr Innes said.
"For example, more and more ATMs are being installed at a height that can be accessed by people using wheelchairs and with audio capacity for blind customers."
The report summarises developments by ABA members and includes suggested actions that banks might take to maintain progress and report against industry standards to the public.
"I am particularly pleased to see that many ABA members are addressing broader access issues through access policies or Action Plans and that many banks are working to ensure that people with disabilities are part of their workforces," Commissioner Innes said.
"I look forward to working with the ABA, other financial services providers and the disability sector over the next year to achieve more progress in the area of accessible banking."
The progress report can be found at http://www.bankers.asn.au/accessiblity_progress/
Media contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated January 31, 2008
