By Joshua Weng Chuwang
A Non-Governmental Organisation based in Canada, Diverse Abilities Programs Inc., has provided an important tip in a bid to promote accessibility in business and inclusiveness of Persons with Disabilities, particularly those who are visually impaired.
In a social media post dated Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the educational consultant firm noted that manual debit/credit card machines possess tactile elements such as raised dots and symbols, which can assist individuals who are blind to engage in business without aid from others.
“For example, there is a raised dot on the #5 button that provides orientation for navigating the pin pad.
Additionally, on most manual machines, the green ‘OK’ button, typically located in the bottom right-hand corner, has a raised circle, the yellow ‘Back’ button has a raised arrow, and the red ‘Cancel’ button has a raised ‘X’.”
According to the post, these features enable visually challenged people to make business transactions independently and privately on manual card machines without having to rely on others for help.
Unfortunately, this aspect of inclusivity seems to have been hindered with the advent of digital machines, as they are not accessible to everyone.
However, there might have been an improvement in the configuration of digital machines, as there is a tactile overlay for the flat-screen terminals. This implies that businesses that have a payment terminal can simply ask the provider of the terminal for a tactile overlay to allow everyone independence in their transactions.
The founder, Gina Martin, is a passionate advocate, dedicated educator, and compassionate speaker for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Language (IDEAL).
