Tuesday March 19th, 2024
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Central Bank to Mandate Improved Access for People with Disabilities

Within a year, all banks are obligated to improve their infrastructure to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.

Cairo Scene

The Central Bank of Egypt has sent out instructions to banks across the country to be more inclusive of Egyptians with disabilities through changes in their infrastructure, such as by allowing customers to use their fingerprint as an alternative signature.


Within a year, all banks are obligated to include people with disabilities within their target customer segment. Banks must provide saving vessels and suitable banking products for them, issue them specialised cards to use with their accounts, and install ATMs with special specifications. At least 10% of any bank’s branches must be equipped for people with disabilities, including providing automated audio recordings through headphones to read out terms and conditions in contracts.


The new instructions also ask banks to make contracts and application forms for their services clear and uncomplicated, with publications, bank notices, and account statements available in braille or as audio CDs. Any pertinent information about their services must be made available on their websites and social media, accompanied by an audio reading and sign language file.


Finally, the central bank’s instructions request that banks train their employees to communicate effectively with customers with disabilities in their branches, and allow home visits when and if necessary.