An overview of the EUs latest transformative regulation what it means for digital banking apps, why inclusive design is a net positive for everyone and the steps to become a more accessible product
Brilliant summary and round-up, Jas. The section on inclusive design is excellent. In 2005 I was approached by team regarding accessibility - something I knew nothing about. We were working with HSBC. We talked to them about how important it was, and they listened. It started us on a multi-year journey with them. Seeing people's challenges and how adhering to a set of core principles could make all the difference was hugely insightful. Wind forward to last year and, Mali Fernando, head of digital experience and accessibility at HSBC, received an OBE in recognition for services to digital accessibility in banking.
Fantastic read Jas. I’m always happy to see this important issue raised and given more visibility.
One point I’ve encountered recently is when working a Tap on Phone product (make your phone a payment terminal), the challenge of entering a PIN number.
Standard payment terminals have indentations which means that visually impaired users can differentiate between the PIN pad numbers. But when entering a PIN number onto the screen of a standard mobile phone there is no such indentation. In some senses it’s a step back for accessibility.
For Android I haven’t seen a clear cut solution to this yet. For iOS Apple have developed a solution. Partly this is because they keep closer control of their ecosystem - as ever! But partly it’s well thought out, and a user can tap the screen a certain number of times - eg tap it three time consecutively for number 3 on the “PIN Pad” etc.
Thank you my friend. Always a challenge to keep it snappy and insightful vs being cohesive so these end up being slightly longer.
Yes, that's one of a number of device level accessibility challenges. As I mentioned with the disappearance of embossed cards, there seems to be a race to become more aesthetic which ends up overlooking inclusion and access.
Haptic feedback w/3D touch on iOS could be another way to solve this. Person slightly presses a number and it vibrates with the relevant number so the user knows the keypad positioning.
For digital pin-pads that get randomised, it's an even greater challenge
Exactly - What makes it harder is that some Android suppliers for Tap on Phone have implemented a scrambled PIN Pad solution, as it's easier to get through PCI compliance compared to a non scrambled PIN pad... But of course it's the worst solution for accessibility 🤦♂️
Brilliant summary and round-up, Jas. The section on inclusive design is excellent. In 2005 I was approached by team regarding accessibility - something I knew nothing about. We were working with HSBC. We talked to them about how important it was, and they listened. It started us on a multi-year journey with them. Seeing people's challenges and how adhering to a set of core principles could make all the difference was hugely insightful. Wind forward to last year and, Mali Fernando, head of digital experience and accessibility at HSBC, received an OBE in recognition for services to digital accessibility in banking.
Thanks Dave! Great that several organisations have taken this very seriously and I will reach out to connect with Mali.
I also have to admit, on previous builds I have not prioritised accessibility and inclusion as much as I should have but I've rectified that recently
Fantastic read Jas. I’m always happy to see this important issue raised and given more visibility.
One point I’ve encountered recently is when working a Tap on Phone product (make your phone a payment terminal), the challenge of entering a PIN number.
Standard payment terminals have indentations which means that visually impaired users can differentiate between the PIN pad numbers. But when entering a PIN number onto the screen of a standard mobile phone there is no such indentation. In some senses it’s a step back for accessibility.
For Android I haven’t seen a clear cut solution to this yet. For iOS Apple have developed a solution. Partly this is because they keep closer control of their ecosystem - as ever! But partly it’s well thought out, and a user can tap the screen a certain number of times - eg tap it three time consecutively for number 3 on the “PIN Pad” etc.
Thank you my friend. Always a challenge to keep it snappy and insightful vs being cohesive so these end up being slightly longer.
Yes, that's one of a number of device level accessibility challenges. As I mentioned with the disappearance of embossed cards, there seems to be a race to become more aesthetic which ends up overlooking inclusion and access.
Haptic feedback w/3D touch on iOS could be another way to solve this. Person slightly presses a number and it vibrates with the relevant number so the user knows the keypad positioning.
For digital pin-pads that get randomised, it's an even greater challenge
Exactly - What makes it harder is that some Android suppliers for Tap on Phone have implemented a scrambled PIN Pad solution, as it's easier to get through PCI compliance compared to a non scrambled PIN pad... But of course it's the worst solution for accessibility 🤦♂️