article_detail

When the nationwide blackout wiped out power and mobile networks across Spain at the end of April, most of us came to the uneasy realisation that cash is indeed still king. Queues formed around the block of people desperate to withdraw money as card machines went down throughout Spain, but that was easier said than done for many people.

 

There’s no doubt that ATMs have come a long way in the last few years. Today, we can use them to top up our phones, pay bills or traffic fines and even lodge cash to our accounts. But thanks to these added functions, many machines have reached the complexity of an airplane cockpit, leaving some older people or those with disabilities at a loss.

 

To remedy this, the Spanish government is finally enacting a piece of its accessibility law that was originally passed back in 2023. From June 28, all banks will have to update their ATM software so that the machines will become more user-friendly for everyone.

 

Among the main new features are an enlarged font size, audio guides and a redesigned interface and menu. Not only will this make them easier to navigate, but the process should become much quicker. Banks will also have to organise training for their staff on how to better provide services to people with disabilities.

 

 

The law addresses the need for multiple channels to ensure an accessible experience for those who struggle for whatever reason. Among the requirements is adapting icons, text and screen brightness for better viewing. ATMs will also be required to include headsets for voice instructions and buttons with raised or intuitive layouts.

 

The transformation will be carried out gradually, as the law distinguishes between new ATMs and existing ones. Banks must inform their customers about which ATMs are already adapted and which ones are still in need of improvements, so that they know, in advance, where they can access they adapted machines.

 

ATMs installed before June 28 this year won’t have to be replaced immediately; banks can continue using them until they come to the end of their natural lives, or up to a maximum of 10 more years, whichever comes first.

 

Currently, there are around 47,000 ATMs in Spain, and the cost of implementing the changes to achieve maximum accessibility is between € 1,500 and €3,000 per unit.

 

The changes might not be so noticeable for many people, but they are for older adults. The reality is that using a complex interface is one of the most common complaints made by the elderly, along with very small font.

 

 

Image: Freepik