According to a circular issued on Friday, across advanced global financial jurisdictions, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone on the basis of disability. The Constitution of Pakistan also provides that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law. Accordingly, it is obligatory on the banks/MFBs to make banking/financial services accessible for people with disabilities especially those who are visually impaired/blind.
In order to provide visually impaired/blind persons with equitable access to banking and financial services, the SBP has formed general guidelines, which inter alia contain instructions pertaining to opening and operation of bank account, cash withdrawal/cheque book facility, credit cards, ATM/debit cards, phone/internet banking, lockers and extension of loans.
In this regard, the SBP has asked banks/MFBs to arrange printing of all related stationery, forms/documents, etc, in Braille script within the period of three months. They have been directed to make available related stock of stationery at least in a branch of region/city/town from where the said stock may be procured as and when required by other nearby branches.
In addition, the SBP has advised banks and MFBs that at least one branch is having 'Talking ATM' an area/vicinity where various banks/MFBs are operating for facilitation of visually challenged persons. According to SBP, banks can manage this in collaborate with each other.
According to these guidelines the bank/MFB shall not deny opening of individual account by a visually impaired/blind person. Clear option should be provided to a visually impaired/blind person for opening of an account either singly or jointly with any other person and no restriction shall be placed on opening of a joint account including with person(s) who is/are visually impaired/blind.
In addition, the bank/MFB shall render the same services to visually impaired/blind person as it would to any other person without discrimination through all branches and before establishing banking relationship with visually impaired/blind persons, the bank/MFB must clearly explain them all possible risks involved in the operation and usage of any product/services being offered.
The bank/MFB will not equate literate visually impaired/blind persons with illiterate customers and shall clearly mark the account of all such customers as "Visually Impaired/Blind Person Account, it added. The bank/MFBs have been asked to develop and put in place internal control procedures to deal with any possible financial exploitation of visually impaired/blind customers.
The manager/operations manager of the branch shall read out the rules of business/terms and conditions governing the operation of the account in the presence of a witness known to the concerned illiterate visually impaired/blind person before signing the account opening forms/documents. However, the same may not be required in case of joint account and for literate visually impaired/blind customer.
Illiterate visually impaired/blind person shall operate the bank account personally in the presence of a witness. However, in case of a literate visually impaired/blind person, the condition of presence of witness may not be required on providing duly witnessed undertaking by him/her stating that he/she would be responsible for all the transactions made in the account, the guidelines said.
Visually impaired/blind customer, if desires, may be allowed to appoint a person/persons as power of attorney or mandate holder to operate his/her bank account. This appointment will be duly witnessed by a person known to the concerned visually impaired person in the presence of a bank/MFB official.
If requested, visually impaired/blind customer shall be provided with mobile or telephone banking facilities as are available to other customers. Internet banking facility will be provided to literate visually impaired/blind persons. The SBP said the banks/MFBs are encouraged to develop web, desktop and mobile applications accessible to visually impaired/blind customers as per internationally recognised accessibility standards. Further, the banks/MFBs shall device alternate methods of user authentication/password verification for its visually impaired/ blind customers.
The bank/MFB shall not deny issuance of ATM/debit card to literate visually impaired/blind accountholders against duly witnessed undertaking. However, for the purpose of installing 'Talking ATMs', the banks/MFBs shall follow the instructions issued vide CPD Circular No 02 of February 13, 2014.
The bank/MFB shall allow issuance of credit card to visually impaired/blind customers upon duly witnessed request, if otherwise found eligible. However, prior to signing of contract, all such customers must be made aware of the likely risks associated with the handling/usage of the credit card.
While dealing loan applications of visually impaired/blind persons, the bank/MFB shall adopt the same procedure/criteria as it follows in the case of other applicants. The bank/MFB shall not impose additional terms and conditions on loan offering to visually impaired/ blind persons except requisite/standard conditions.
Visually impaired/blind persons shall be provided with locker facility on the same terms and conditions as are applicable for other customers. Visually impaired/blind customers shall be allowed locker operations with the assistance of any person of their choice to ensure that all their belongings have been safe in/out in the locker properly. That person needs to be registered by the visually impaired/blind person at the time of account opening. The banks/MFBs are therefore advised to ensure compliance with the attached guidelines, the SBP added.