Currently, 350 bank branches have been adapted to the needs of people with disabilities of the musculoskeletal system, hearing and vision in three cities of national significance: Astana, Almaty and Shymkent. According to the information of the STBs and the agency’s monitoring results, these departments are equipped with tactile signs of traffic routes, a sound beacon, handrails, an inclined lift, and there are parking spaces with a “Disabled” sign near the department. There is a call button for personnel and a mnemonic diagram for persons with visual impairments at the entrance to the organization. The entrance room is made of impact-resistant material; yellow markings for the visually impaired are placed on the doors. Inside the premises, persons with disabilities can move around the entire space of the department: there are no thresholds and sides, There are caterpillar lifts in those departments where it is impossible to install ramps. The branches also provide a toilet room adapted for persons with disabilities, the path to which is equipped with tactile signs. The staff is regularly trained on the correct interaction with a vulnerable category of people and is ready to provide situational assistance to such clients.
“The Agency pays special attention to persons with disabilities in terms of their integration into the country's financial system. Despite the fact that the financial regulator has taken significant steps in this direction, it is necessary to strengthen measures to create a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities. To this end, the Agency, together with the Kazakhstan Institute of Standardization and Metrology, are developing accessibility standards that will be mandatory for financial organizations,” said Alexander Terentyev, director of the department for protecting the rights of consumers of financial services, at the working group meeting.
As a result of the meeting, it was decided to collect proposals from financial institutions, including the possibility of providing preferential financial products and services for PWDs.
It was also decided to introduce a rating system to assess the affordability of branches of financial institutions and the quality of service for PWDs of all categories. This methodology will be developed with consideration of international standards and implemented in the second half of 2023.
Photos are from open sources.
