Important Resources

Resources pertaining to Talking ATM can be downloaded from this section. Also download key circulars, reports and guidelines issued regarding extending banking, insurance and investment services to persons with disabilities.

Disclaimer for this resource page: The contents are for information purposes only, to enable persons with vision impairment to have a quick and accessible information on a single web page. Talking ATM India do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information.

Accessible ATMs in India - A Retrospective and Prospective View

This policy paper published by XRCVC, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, in March 2024 titled as 'Accessible ATMs in India - A Retrospective and Prospective View.' This paper advocates for enhancing ATM accessibility for persons with visual impairments making UPI-enabled cardless cash withdrawals accessible for those with print disabilities, especially the visually impaired. It addresses the technical aspects of making these transactions accessible.

• Accessible ATMs in India - A Retrospective and Prospective View (pdf file 5.4 mb)

Banking on Accessibility - A Case for Accessible Banking for Persons with Disabilities by XRCVC

This report published by XRCVC in June 2022 is a comprehensive document that can be used by regulatory and governance authorities like the Reserve Bank of India, banks, other associated bodies, decision makers and policy experts. It shall aid them in monitoring and evaluation of existing guidelines and the level of their implementation in reality. It articulates banking problems faced by users and makes strong recommendations to improve the scenario. The scope of the report is largely focused on infringement of rights of persons with visual impairment who use or propose to use banking facilities.

• Banking on Accessibility - A Case for Accessible Banking for Persons with Disabilities by XRCVC (pdf file 2.4 mb)

XRCVC Financial Access Useful Info and Quick Links

• Xavier's Resource Center for the Visually Challenged - XRCVC (External web page)

User Manual on Talking ATM published by Union Bank of India

• Download Accessible PDF format 3rd edition of User Manual on Talking ATM (English) (pdf file 1.2 mb)
• Download DAISY format 3rd edition of User Manual on Talking ATM (English) (.rar file 18.6 mb)

Video Demonstration of Talking ATM

• Watch a 2 Minute video of an user operating Union Bank Talking ATM available on Youtube (External web page)
• TALKING ATM FOR ALL by Union Bank of India available on Youtube(External web page)
• SBI trains visually-impaired people to access ATM available on Youtube(External web page)
• SBI first talking ATM launched news by DD News available on Youtube(External web page)

Audio Demonstration of Talking ATM

We are providing below sample audios only for familiarization purpose. There will be very few variations in the operation depend on ATM models and manufacturers. However all are following a standard workflow. Please refer Talking ATM user manual for understanding these differences.

• Talking ATM Balance enquiry operation (mp3 file 870.2 kb)
• Talking ATM Cash withdrawal operation (mp3 file 1.7 mb)
• Talking ATM PIN change operation (mp3 file 680 kb)

Misconceptions about Talking ATMs

Difference between Talking ATM for blind and partial voice guidance on an ATM for general public (pdf file 30 kb)

Indian Banks Association (IBA) Circulars

• IBA BANKERS GUIDE 2017 FOR CUSTOMERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (pdf file 1.8 mb)
• IBA Model Template for Banks for web page 'Services for Customers with Disabilities' 18 December 2017 (pdf file 94 kb)
• IBA Circular 'Template for Bank Corporate Websites and Bankers Guide' 18 December 2017 (pdf file 235 kb)
• IBA poster to be displayed at the entrance of talking ATMs dated 16 January 2014 (pdf file 1.16 mb)
• IBA standards on Accessible ATM dated 27 February 2013 (pdf file 1.16 mb)
• IBA guidelines providing banking facilities to visually impaired persons dated 18 November2008 (pdf file 74 kb)

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Circulars

• RBI Master Circular on Customer Service in Banks dated 1 July 2015 (pdf file 1.74 mb)
• RBI circular Banking Facilities To The Visually Challenged dated 4 June 2008 (pdf file 8.74 kb)
• RBI circular Need for Bank Branches ATMs To Be Made Accessible to Persons with Disabilities dated 13 April 2009 (pdf file 43.7 kb)
• RBI circular Banking Facilities to Visually Challenged Persons With Disabilities dated 5 September 2012 (pdf file 108 kb)
• RBI circular Need for Bank Branches ATMs To Be Made Accessible To Persons With Disabilities dated 21 May 2014 (pdf file 44.9 kb)
• RBI circular Need for Bank Branches ATMs To Be Made Accessible To Persons With Disabilities dated 11 June 2014 (pdf file 55.4 kb)

Services for Customers with Disabilities

List of banks with a web page providing information about the services being offered for persons with special needs and Bankers Guide 2017 book, a compilation of all circulars, notifications issued by Government of India, RBI and IBA] for Customers with Special Needs as a reference book for the bankers.

• Axis Bank (External web page)
• Bank of Baroda (External web page)
• Citibank India (pdf file)
• HDFC Bank (pdf file)
• ICICI Bank Door Step Banking(External Web page)
• IDBI(pdf file)
• Indian Bank(External Web page)
• Karnataka Bank (External web page)
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.(pdf file)
• Punjab National Bank (External web page)
• Punjab and Sind Bank (External web page)
• SBM Bank (pdf file)
• UCO Bank (pdf file)
• Union Bank of India (External web page)
• Yes Bank (External web page)

National Housing Bank

Loan facility to visually impaired persons by HFCs 3rd December 2015(pdf file - external web page)

Insurance

• LIC letter to NAB India regard to Insurance cover to Blind persons 14 July 2007(pdf file 359 kb)
• Insurance Cover to Disabled Persons_Press Release_24 April 2015 (External web page)
• Guidelines on standardization of exclusions in Health Insurance Contracts 27 September 2019 (pdf file 7.2 mb)
• IRDA Circular on Disclosure of Underwriting Philosophy by Insurers_2 June 2020 (pdf file 399 kb)
• IRDA Circular Product for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Persons afflicted with HIV/AIDS, and those with Mental Illness_27 Feb 2023 (pdf file 669 kb)

Investment

• BSE Notice: Accessing Securities Market by Visually Challenged Investors_12 May 2015 (External web page)
• NSDL circular revised procedure - Opening and operation of depository account of blind persons 21 August 2007 (External web page)
• NSDL circular Opening of an account of a Blind person 21 August 2007 (External web page)