RBI/2008-09/431
DBOD.No.Leg.BC.123 /09.07.005/2008-09
April 13, 2009
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Need for Bank Branches / ATMs to be made
accessible to persons with disabilities
We have been receiving several suggestions including from Government of India to
make bank branches and ATMs easily accessible to persons with disability by
providing ramps so that wheel chair users can access them and the height of the
machine is also appropriate for them. Further we have also been receiving
suggestions for installing speaking software and key pads with letters in
Braille to facilitate use by persons with visual impairment.
- We have examined the above suggestions and banks are advised to take
necessary steps to provide all existing ATMs / future ATMs with ramps so that
wheel chair users / persons with disabilities can easily access them and also
make arrangements in such a way that the height of the ATM does not create an
impediment in its use by a wheelchair user. Banks may also take appropriate
steps including providing ramps at the entrance of the bank branches so that the
persons with disabilities / wheel chair users can enter the bank branches and
conduct business without much difficulty.
- Further, banks should make at least one third of new ATMs installed as
talking ATMs with Braille keypads and place them strategically in consultation
with other banks to ensure that at least one talking ATM with Braille keypad is
generally available in each locality for catering to needs of visually impaired
persons. Banks may also bring the locations of such talking ATMs to the notice
of their visually impaired customers.
Yours faithfully
(Prashant Saran)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge