"No Inconvenience for Disabled ATM Users"... Financial Services Commission to Push for 100% Installation of 'Universal Disabled ATMs'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] The Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service announced on the 18th that they plan to expand the installation rate of 'universal disabled ATMs' across all financial sectors, including banks, savings banks, and mutual finance, to virtually 100% by the end of 2023 to enhance the convenience of ATM use for visually and physically disabled individuals.

Universal disabled ATMs refer to ATMs equipped with support functions for both visual and physical disabilities. They include features such as Braille displays, screen magnification, earphone jacks, and spaces designed for wheelchair access.

As of the end of last year, out of 115,563 ATMs nationwide (excluding post offices), 54,992 were universal disabled ATMs, accounting for 47.6% of the total. ATMs equipped only with visual disability support functions numbered 43,252, and those meeting only wheelchair accessibility standards numbered 2,902.

The financial authorities explained, "Many ATMs either lack any disability support functions or support only specific types of disabilities, making it difficult for disabled individuals who are not covered to use them." There are also many cases where ATMs installed for disabled users are inconvenient for actual use by disabled individuals.

The financial authorities plan to install universal disabled ATMs in all locations except for exceptions such as lack of space or almost no demand.

To this end, the financial authorities intend to require manufacturers to present the universal disabled model as the standard type when producing ATMs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.