How can Payment Systems be designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities?

A very important topics has been bring to us. We must try our best to provide equal opportunity with person having disabilities. Many of countries has started asking support to help people with disabilities and payment system is no exception to it. Challenges in Application : - Technology used by many banks are either old versions of product or technology which are not ready for such innovations. - In house development is another big hurdle in stopping to get new upgrades ( as it is not a product) WCAG is standard used by many big corporate and banks to validate vendor solutions is ready for usage by person with disabilities. So, keep an eye on your vendor and insist for WCAG certification to overcome this problem to extend.

Accessibility ensures inclusivity, which means that people, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can use a service or product. When we design for accessibility, we design for all. This inclusivity ensures that no one is left out or faces undue hardship simply because of their abilities.

Designing a payment system to improve accessibility for users with disabilities involves considering a range of factors to ensure inclusivity. Here are some key principles and features to consider: User-Centered Design: Start by involving users with disabilities. Multiple Input Options: Allow users to make payments using various input methods. Screen Readers and Voice Assistants High Contrast and Customizable Interfaces Simple and Intuitive Navigation Error Handling and Feedback Captioned Videos and Audio Descriptions Security Considerations: Balance security measures with accessibility. Training and Support: Offer training materials and customer support

Ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and compatibility with assistive technologies, while promoting a culture of awareness and continuous improvement can improve the user experience for a diverse range of customers. Accessibility is more than just a legal requirement; it also shows a commitment to equality, diversity, and empowering all users, leading to a more accessible and inclusive digital world.

Start with the user in mind. Conduct research, surveys, and user testing sessions with individuals with diverse disabilities to understand their specific needs. Feedback from users with visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical disabilities can provide insights on usability challenges and desired features.

The adoption of ergonomic digital solutions doesn't necessarily imply accessibility to work tools. Despite good intentions, organizations may risk not addressing the actual needs of their customers and may even face hefty penalties. In Italy the Law promotes maturity and sensitivity towards accessibility. Since the 2004 "Stanca Law", the state has recognized and protected the right to access digital services for the disabled, ensuring equal opportunity. A product that doesn't ensure accessibility is deemed discriminatory, allowing users to seek judicial compensation. In new products development in the Payments industry accessibility is now a mandatory requirement, and a comprehensive preliminary specific assessment is performed.

In today's technological landscape, modern smartphones boast the remarkable capability of executing applications through voice commands, harnessing the power of their built-in virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, and Alexa. These advanced devices are already equipped to proficiently recognize and match voice inputs to carry out crucial functions. Leveraging such cutting-edge technology holds the potential to significantly enhance the accessibility and usability of applications, particularly for individuals with impairments.

If the payment page identifies the user and consider certain parameters - bandwidth of the user, device info, available payment options/applications, Scan/QR codes - based on the availability the specific PM should trigger for user to make the payments.

There are multiple ways, if you are talking about a web based application, browser plugins/ developer tools allow you to check for accessibility measurements. Likewise, NVDA is another tool to check compatibility of a web application towards accessibility requirements. However, I wonder if there's one for mobile applications & if AppleStore/ PlayStore can mandate this scan before uploading to ensure 'Accessibility' levels for an app. That way, it becomes a more wide-spread net for a social media commitment.

Regular Training for Customer Support A well-informed customer support team can provide assistance tailored to users with disabilities. Regular training sessions can ensure they’re updated on the best ways to assist.