A group of blind and visually-impaired users has attended an information meeting coordinated by the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility and held by HSBC Bank Malta Ltd on the new internet banking platform being provided by HSBC.

These users have expressed satisfaction in the ICT accessibility awareness shown through this initiative. The desktop token generator being distributed to disabled persons who request it provides a bigger display and speech output.

The large numeric keypad could also make it easier for people with mild mobility impairments to key in pin numbers.

However accessibility is not limited to the token generator, but extends to HSBC’s internet-based services which follow the web accessibility guidelines that are endorsed by FITA.

These guidelines are important in ensuring that ICT is accessible to all disabled persons.

Internet banking allows customers to do their banking outside bank hours and from any site where internet access is available; thus internet banking is particularly convenient for disabled persons who may not share equal access to transport services and whose individual impairment may mean that visits to bank branches, and the possibility of queuing, present particular problems for them.