In order to make bank branches and ATM cabins easily accessible to special persons suffering from any disability, it has been decided that henceforth all banks / DFIs / MFBs shall take at least the following measures as a part of their corporate social responsibility and moral obligations:
i) Provide preferential treatment / out of queue assistance to all special persons who desire to conduct banking transaction or wish to avail other financial services offered by the banks / DFIs / MFBs.
ii) Wherever possible, make arrangements to construct ramps at the entrance of existing branches and ATM cabins to allow easy access to special persons and wheelchair users.
iii) Take maximum care for the possibility of constructing ramp while opening any new branch premises or installing an ATM cabin as a part of network expansion plan. The structure of newly installed ATM cabins should be designed in such a manner that special persons and wheelchair users are facilitated to access the same.
2. It is expected that banks / DFIs / MFBs may also explore the feasibility of installing talking ATMs in consultation with other industry players so that at least one talking ATM is generally available to the users at different locations in a city. Banks / DFIs / MFBs shall also make arrangements to bring the locations of such talking ATMs to the notice of general public.
3. Banks / DFIs / MFBs are directed to provide a list of all such branches and ATM cabins to SBP, on half yearly basis from June 30, 2014 onwards, where the above initiatives have been implemented by them for the benefit of special persons.
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