Enhancing Accessibility in Payments | Insights | UK Finance

Enhancing Accessibility in Payments | Insights | UK Finance Skip to main content UK Finance search You can use the search function to find a range of UK Finance material, from consultation responses to thought leadership to blogs, or to find content on a range of topics from Capital Markets & Wholesale to Payments & Innovation. Search form Enhancing Accessibility in Payments As payment technology evolves, accessibility must be built in from the start. This blog explores UK Finance’s latest work to make card payments more inclusive, practical and consistent for everyone. Last year, UK Finance brought together banks, payment providers, terminal manufacturers, retailers, accessibility organisations and policymakers to examine accessibility challenges in card payments. Those discussions reinforced an important reality. While the industry has made significant progress, many blind and partially sighted people and others with accessibility needs continue to face barriers when making everyday payments. The growing use of touchscreen payment terminals was consistently identified as a particular challenge. While many devices include accessibility features, those features are often difficult to locate, inconsistent between manufacturers or poorly understood by both consumers and retail staff. The result is that many people are unable to pay independently, are forced to disclose confidential PINs or abandon purchases altogether. Building on progress with accessible cards Earlier this year, UK Finance responded by launching the Accessible Cards Code of Practice . Developed in partnership with industry and accessibility organisations such as RNIB , the Code establishes a common approach to the design of payment cards and represents a world-leading step forward in accessibility. Today, we are pleased to publish our latest report, Enhancing Accessibility in Card Payments, which focuses on the next stage of the accessibility journey. Embedding accessibility by design across payments The report identifies practical recommendations designed to improve accessibility across the payments ecosystem. These include supporting the work of the European Blind Union's new terminal accessibility working group, strengthening accessibility standards for payment devices, improving industry-wide training and awareness, preserving access to physical PIN-pads and encouraging future innovations such as biometric and voice-enabled payment cards. A central theme throughout the report is the concept of "accessibility by design". Rather than relying on workarounds, accessibility should be embedded into products and services from the beginning. The most effective solutions are often those that work seamlessly for everyone. This work is also an important example of industry supporting HM Treasury's Financial Inclusion Strategy . UK Finance is committed to helping ensure that the benefits of innovation are shared as widely as possible. The Accessible Cards Code of Practice and this new report are tangible examples of that commitment. We are particularly grateful to Elavon for sponsoring this report. As one of the UK's leading merchant acquirers and a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, Elavon has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting accessible and inclusive payment experiences. Innovation that works for everyone Accessibility is not separate from innovation. It is an essential part of innovation. As payment technologies continue to evolve, the industry has an opportunity to ensure that future solutions are not only faster, smarter and more secure, but also more inclusive. By working together across industry, government and the third sector, we can build a payments ecosystem that works for everyone. Area of expertise: Payments, innovation & resilience 24.06.26 Blog Written By Adam Scarrott, Director, Issuing and Acceptance, UK Finance Share Key Conversation: Financial Inclusion Join us on 29 June for where we will be bringing together industry leaders, charities and innovators to explore how financial services can better support vulnerable and excluded individuals through insights, discussion and collaboration. 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