RBI'S NEW RULES FOR BANK ATM'S: Check out

RBI'S  NEW RULES FOR BANK ATM'S: Check out

 The Reserve Bank of India regularly monitors the banking system. One of its key aims is to ensure customer ease of use. Keeping that in mind, it issued a notification on Wednesday asking banks to make bank branches and ATMs accessible for disabled individuals.

 Here are five things to know:
1) In April 2009, the RBI advised banks to provide ramps in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). This was to help disabled individuals move with ease in and out of the ATMs. It had also said that banks were to provide Braille keypads in at least one third of the new ATMs. Braille is the writing system for the blind and visually impaired. These ATMs would also be enabled with voice commands for further ease of use.

 2) The RBI on Wednesday asked banks to ensure that the height of the ATMs be low enough to be used by customers in wheel-chairs. It added that in case the geographic location of the ATM makes a ramp facility impossible, the bank has to ensure that a clear sign post displays the unavailability of the ramp.

 3) The central bank also extended the rule to bank branches. “Banks are also to take appropriate steps, including providing of ramps at the entrance of the bank branches, wherever feasible, so that the persons with disabilities/wheel chair users can enter bank branches and conduct business without difficulty,” the RBI said in its notification. It added that banks have to periodically report to the RBI about progress made in offering such services.

 4) “It has come to our notice that some of the banks have not made at least one third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads as advised,” the RBI noted. It reiterated that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as talking ATMs with Braille keypads. To ensure this happens, the RBI now requires that banks lay down a road map for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads, and submit the plan to the RBI regularly.

5) Magnifying glasses should also be provided in bank branches, the RBI said. This is to help customers with low vision and help them carry transactions with ease. The banks should also place a prominent notice about the availability of the glasses and other facilities.