Internet banking / accessibility

GlasweJen

Phone the general number and ask to speak to someone who deals with accessibility, the woman in branch has probably never dealt with that query before and didn't know who to ask.

gardenia101

I'm with smile (Co-op) & their ordinary card reader is difficult for me but their larger version has displays of numbers/letters that are about 1cm tall. There is no way to adjust the contrast/brightness though, just black numbers on a grey background. It also has a headphone, but I haven't tried that yet.

I got exactly the same large card reader from Tesco bank, & I seem to be able to use any card in any card reader. Just as well as the batteries tend to die mid transaction.

No you're not wrong in wanting to keep these things private if that is what you want to do. I had a row with someone in the Halifax regarding a passbook account; used to just give the pass book & cheque or cash & the cashier dealt with it all, but they changed a while ago & told me I had to complete a paying in slip before going to the cashier. When I said I'd find that hard & didn't want to have to ask specially for the large print version (annoying as I can't usually tell who is staff & who isn't, hence wanting to go straight to the cash desk) I was told not to worry, that someone else would be able to help me. Almost expected the woman to pat me on the head

I know she meant well, but she couldn't see my point that to me, it was another thing I couldn't do independently & that I wanted an account that I could manage on my own. She did say that all staff were covered by confidentiality & I wasn't to worry - still missing the point.

I moved the account.

Indie_Kid

Didn't realise co-op used the card reader too. I did go in there last week hoping to ask. Waited around for 10 minutes and then walked out again after not having spoken to anyone.

Have meetings with someone from Halifax and Santander next week about their internet banking, to see how it all works.

It was suggested that I use a torch to see the numbers as the contrast is a problem. But too much light just makes things worse.

gardenia101

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Didn't realise co-op used the card reader too. I did go in there last week hoping to ask. Waited around for 10 minutes and then walked out again after not having spoken to anyone.

Have meetings with someone from Halifax and Santander next week about their internet banking, to see how it all works.

It was suggested that I use a torch to see the numbers as the contrast is a problem. But too much light just makes things worse.

I find smile good, but they are separate from the co-op in that the co-op branch staff often won't (cant?) sort out any problems in branch. My smile card reader is also marked as a co-op bank card reader, so I guess the co-op must have their own online access in addition to being able to use branches. Smile are purely online only & I joined them long before I developed sight problems.

Co-op staff can see smile accounts on their systems though - when I'm away from home they can tell me if certain payments have gone in & out, & they seem quite happy to do it when I say I don't have secure internet access or a smart phone. Doubt I'd get away with it in a local branch regularly though.

Just had a play with my large card reader & a torch - didn't seem to make much difference to me, but we're all different. Wouldn't it be nice if every branch had one customers could play with & see if it suited them before signing up?

Hope you find something that works for you.

kazzah

you should put in a formal complaint to Nat West
under the equality act 2010 - it is for the SERVICE provider to make reasonable adjustments to allow disabled customers to access THEIR services
it is morally reprehensible for a HUGE organisation to ask you to get someone else to deal with your banking for you

this is 2015...............the attitude of that staff member is a disgrace

I bank with Nationwide and have visual problems and as stated, once you have set up a payee with their internet banking it is simple to make payments

Indie_Kid

A complaint has been put in, thanks.

I've visited Santander and Halifax this week and had a chance to see how their online banking works. It seems that the majority (or all) banks online banking works the same, it's just their security things.

kazzah

I forgot to say also- with Nationwide you can opt out of using the pin reader and use memorable words and a pass code number to log in as well.

BlueEyedGirl

gardenia101 wrote: »

I'm with smile (Co-op) & their ordinary card reader is difficult for me but their larger version has displays of numbers/letters that are about 1cm tall.

I didn't know the Co-Op Bank did one with a large display. Will have to get one for my dad, he struggles with the tiny one all the time.

LameWolf

One thing with Hal!fax is their drop-down menus to put in characters from your "memorable information" (you have to do three) are a real pain in the butt if you have arthritic fingers.

B_G_B

LameWolf wrote: »

One thing with Hal!fax is their drop-down menus to put in characters from your "memorable information" (you have to do three) are a real pain in the butt if you have arthritic fingers.

Maybe easier to use Tab and letter / number keys instead.