United Bank for Africa (UBA) has unveiled a new service that will enable visually impaired Kenyans to open accounts and transact.

The UBA Braille Account Opening Form, is tailored to meet the unique financial requirements of individuals with visual impairments in an effort to enhance inclusivity and accessibility of banking services.

This endeavor aligns seamlessly with our core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and a customer-centric approach, showcasing UBA Kenya's resolute dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind in our mission to provide comprehensive financial services to all of our valued customers.

UBA Kenya Bank Managing Director and CEO of Chike Isiuwe, says that through the incorporation of the Braille Account Opening Form, the bank is ensuring that individuals with visual impairments can confidently and independently access banking services, thereby promoting confidentiality, financial independence, and empowerment.

"This initiative reflects our determination to provide banking services that cater to the diverse needs of our customers and society at large. This is why we have made our account opening process accessible to the visually impaired because we believe everyone deserves equal access to financial services,” said Isiuwe.

UBA says it has actively engaged with key stakeholders to ensure the success of this initiative.

The initiative has been done jointly with organizations such as the Kenya Society for the Blind, Kenya Bankers Association, and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).

KBA had in 2020 unveiled industrywide roadmap on Persons Living with Disability to champion for all member banks to leverage on innovation to enhance the level of financial inclusion.

The roadmap had directed banks to outline how they will improve their websites, mobile applications, and written electronic banking documents to be accessible in line with internationally recognised best practice accessibility standards.

The digital accessibility assessment also recommended that banks should immediately issue ATM cards to all customers with disabilities, and make ATMs accessible to all customers, including those with visual and mobility impairments.

“This collaboration has been instrumental in shaping our approach and ensuring that our services meet the unique needs of our existing and potential customers with visual impairment. The staff have been trained to ensure they are aware of the required procedures to deliver this service across our branches,” added Isiuwe.