Kathryn Townsend
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accesskat.bsky.social
Kathryn Townsend
@accesskat.bsky.social
Specialist subject: Accessibility & Inclusion in financial services.
Reposted by Kathryn Townsend
Of thousands of respondents 70% said the lack of disabled access has directly affected their goals, plans or aspirations - with only 7% feeling positive about the new government.

To view the full report visit www.euansguide.com/AccessSurvey

#AccessSurvey
February 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Kathryn Townsend
#AXSChat
*Display features including increased font size & dark / light screen
*Security access - Push to PIN after 3rd attempt & forgotten PIN Procedure
*Parent & Child - secondary account holder, nominate guardian or carer. additional KYC for 3rd parties
Q5 What innovative solutions are being developed to help people with learning disabilities manage their finances independently? #AXSChat #FinTech
February 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
"Collaboration can standardize accessibility practices, share best practices, and co-create inclusive solutions." Love this Debra! I have really found this to be true and an impactful and effective way to make change happen #AXSChat
Collaboration can standardize accessibility practices, share best practices, and co-create inclusive solutions.

Banks and fintechs should innovate to meet these standards, ensuring a seamless and equitable experience for all customers. #WeAreBillionStrong #HumanInclusion #AXSChat #Collaboration
February 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
A5 (cont'd). Features like spending limits (frequency and volume), ATM limits, payment notifications, simple interfaces, merchant restrictions... these will help ALL customers, but ESPECIALLY those with additional needs. #AXSChat
Q5 What innovative solutions are being developed to help people with learning disabilities manage their finances independently? #AXSChat #FinTech
February 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A6. One of the wonderful things about #accessibility conversations are that they are not commercial ones, so even within the banking sector there is huge appetite for collaboration and sharing of best practice. We should help one another rise up, when it comes to inclusion. #AXSChat
Q6 How can collaboration between banks, fintechs, and regulators drive positive change for disabled consumers? #AXSChat #Collaboration
February 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Thank you for having us along, and we look forward to reporting back to everyone on #AXSChat on the progress of #ProjectNemo, to support financial inclusion of people with a learning disability. Let us know what you think of the podcast and reach out to get involved! #FinTech #Accessibility
February 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
A5. I'm so excited by the work with @joannedewar.bsky.social to shine a spotlight on the needs of people with a learning disability; voices that are often neglected. We are challenging industry to make #FinTech and #Banking solutions for safe adult spending #AXSChat #ProjectNemo vimeo.com/1053320957
February 11, 2025 at 8:50 PM
A4. Am 3 years in to 4 year voluntary role as UK Gov Disability Ambassador for the banking sector and I have relished the opportunity. I've focused on driving change on a small number of things rather than spreading thin. My 3 year impact report is here: www.ukfinance.org.uk/news-and-ins... #AXSChat
February 11, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A3 (Cont'd). From a practical perspective, be part of industry groups like the one I run in the UK for FS providers - share best practice across industries. Use resources like these: www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/resources/ac... and www.signingbanks.uk #AXSChat
February 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A3. Seek new tech solutions, learn from others doing new things. Most people still don't realise that long form written text isn't accessible for sign language users. Their first language is sign, a completely different language/structure. 'Listen' to Deaf people - don't make assumptions. #AXSChat
Q3 How can the financial sector better support deaf customers beyond providing sign language interpreters and captions? #AXSChat #DeafInclusion
February 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM
A4. I'm 3 years in to my 4 year voluntary role as UK Gov Disability Ambassador for the banking sector and I have relished the opportunity. I've focused on driving change on a small number of things rather than spreading thin. My 3 year impact report is here: www.ukfinance.org.uk/news-and-ins...
February 11, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A3 (Cont'd). From a practical perspective, be part of industry groups like the one I run in the UK for FS providers - share best practice across industries. Use resources like these: www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/resources/ac... and www.signingbanks.uk
February 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A3. Seek new tech solutions, learn from others doing new things. Most people still don't realise that long form written text isn't accessible for sign language users. Their first language is sign, it's a completely different language and structure. 'Listen' to Deaf people - don't make assumptions.
Q3 How can the financial sector better support deaf customers beyond providing sign language interpreters and captions? #AXSChat #DeafInclusion
February 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A2. Key challenges: The pace and volume of change in large FS organisations, coupled with complex technical and often legacy systems. Opportunities: Money is everywhere (!). When we get accessible and inclusive banking right, people are enabled to be independent - so important. Digital + human.
Q2 What are the key challenges and opportunities in making digital banking more inclusive for people with disabilities? #AXSChat #InclusiveDesign
February 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Kathryn Townsend
Please join us on #AXSChat - this is our first question.
Q1 How can financial institutions ensure their products and services are accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities? #AXSChat #Accessibility
February 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A1. New services; engage & user test with disabled people! Existing services; review them often / monitor customer feedback and complaints and take action to fix things / continuously improve. Customers need different banking channels at diff times in their lifetime, not one accessible way #AXSChat
Q1 How can financial institutions ensure their products and services are accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities? #AXSChat #Accessibility
February 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Kathryn Townsend
It's Tuesday and that means #AXSChat where we bring guests & the accessibility and disability inclusion community together to chat about topics relating to #Accessibility, technology and the human experience. This week our focus in on #FinTech and we are delighted to welcome @accesskat.bsky.social
February 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Kathryn Townsend
You can now watch our latest episode of #axschat.
We dive into accessibility in banking & fintech with Kathryn Townsend @accesskat.bsky.social , Emily Baum & Mark Horrocks.

@debraruh.bsky.social @neilmilliken.bsky.social

vimeo.com/1054983727

#Fintech #Disability
Transforming Financial Services: Inclusion and Accessibility in Banking
This episode explores the vital role of accessibility in fintech, highlighting efforts made by industry leaders to create inclusive financial solutions for individuals…
vimeo.com
February 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Here it is, you can catch the full recording of my wonderful #AXSChat with Neil, Debra & António 👇

Tune in to the live chat here on BlueSky on Tuesday 11th Feb at 8pm UK.

We’ll be talking all things accessibility and inclusion in financial services, along with my #ProjectNemo peers Emily & Mark.
February 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
My first #BlueSky post AND my first #AXSChat, a double whammy!

Honoured to join Debrah, Neil & António for a discussion on my favourite topic: #accessibility and #inclusion in financial services, along with Emily & Mark from #ProjectNemo.

Looking forward to the chat next Tuesday 11th Feb at 8pm.
Financial systems often neglect the needs of disabled customers, forcing families to create “hacks” for safe money management. Project Nemo aims to change this. Join us Tue, the 11th, at 8 pm in London on #axschat to discuss financial accessibility with Kat, Emily, and Mark.
Full episode coming soon
February 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM