- Distinctive notches on the Touch Card allow blind and
partially sighted people to easily distinguish card
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 1,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastercard and Ajman Bank have
strengthened their commitment to inclusion through a new initiative
designed to expand access to the digital economy. The world-first
Touch Card is an accessible payment card that will allow blind and
partially sighted people to easily facilitate payments and
distinguish between their cards.
There are few effective ways for those who are blind or who have
reduced vision to quickly determine whether they're holding a
credit, debit, or prepaid card, particularly as more cards move to
flat designs without embossed names and numbers. Mastercard is
addressing this challenge with a simple innovation and has
introduced a system of notches on the side of the card to help
consumers use the right card, the right way.
"At Ajman Bank inclusion is an integral aspect of our corporate
culture and social responsibility. Innovation has the power to
change the world for the better. We are delighted to partner with
Mastercard to be the first movers to help drive this innovative
solution that will help us to respond to everyone's needs. For
visually impaired customers, selecting the right card can very
often be a challenging experience. Touch Card allows consumers to
quickly distinguish which card they are using through the three
distinct notches. We've always appreciated Mastercard's vision for
thinking of new ways to innovate and do things differently to serve
more people," said Mohamed Amiri,
Chief Executive Officer, Ajman Bank.
Moza Al Akraf Al Suwaidi,
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development said:
"Accessibility is a human right and this latest initiative by
Mastercard will open new possibilities for the inclusion of
individuals with visual impairment into the digital economy. Ajman
Bank's collaboration with Mastercard will make daily life easier
for a lot of people. It aligns with UAE's social and community
goals to promote an inclusive environment for everyone by tapping
into the infinite power and potential of technology to enrich
people's wellbeing regardless of their capabilities."
"This initiative is taking inclusion to the next level as we
look to promote accessibility in new and meaningful ways. This
world-first collaboration with Ajman Bank to introduce the
Mastercard Touch Card will offer a greater level of independence
and security to blind and partially sighted individuals across the
UAE," shared Raja Rajamannar,
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and President of
Healthcare, Mastercard.
The Touch Card has been designed to work with point-of-sale
terminals and ATMs, ensuring they can be deployed at scale - the
credit cards have a squarish notch; debit cards have a rounded
notch; and prepaid cards have a triangular notch. As well as blind
and partially sighted consumers, anyone in a low-light environment
or reaching into a wallet or purse one-handed can benefit from the
Touch Card design.
The Ajman Bank Touch Card further offers benefits to suit each
cardholder's unique needs, including cash back benefits of up to 10
per cent that can be selected from across four categories: fuel,
online spend, groceries and school fees.
According to the latest available data, 15% of the global
population experience some form of disability, constituting the
largest minority group in the world. The World Health Organization
estimates that, globally, at least 2.2 billion people have sight
problems. A recent Mastercard study, Bridging the Disability
Gap: An Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact, revealed that
digital inclusion is the pathway to financial inclusion for persons
with disabilities. It highlights that there is a clear opportunity
for the industry to work collaboratively to make a positive impact
on the lives of millions of people around the world.
Mastercard's concept has been vetted and endorsed by
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in
the UK and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually
Impaired in the US. The card was co-designed by IDEMIA,
the global leader in Augmented Identity, providing trusted
solutions in the physical as well as digital space.
Notes to the editor:
The Touch Card has received
several recognitions for its innovative concept and design,
namely:
- Touch Card was named a finalist in Fast Company's prestigious
World Changing Ideas Awards in the "General Excellence"
category
- The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) honored
Touch Card as a finalist in the "Design for Everyone" category in
their annual awards program
- Disability:IN awarded the 2022 Marketplace Innovator of the
Year Award to Mastercard for Touch Card
- Touch Card won two Silver and 1 Bronze at the Cannes Lions
Awards
- Earlier this year, the card design itself was named a finalist
at the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) Elan
Awards
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA),
www.mastercard.com, Mastercard is a global technology company in
the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an
inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by
making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using
secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations
and solutions help individuals, financial institutions,
governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our
decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do
inside and outside of our company. With connections across more
than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable
world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
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SOURCE Ajman Bank & Mastercard
