All ING bank cards are notched. This should make it easier for visually impaired people to know which side to insert the card into a payment or cash machine.
“One of the problems that people with visual impairments have today is finding the right card. A bank card often has the same size and feel as, for example, retailer loyalty cards. And some cards also have the same color,” says fiscal expert Sarah Joos from ING, who herself has limited vision.
“In addition, it is sometimes difficult to know in which direction to slide the card in a device. You have to try to do that by feeling the chip, because you don’t like to ask for help with your payments.”
Also laser engraving
“People with a visual impairment often learn to see in a different way”, Joos continues. “Anything that can help with that replaces the eyes. A notch is one of them. You won’t see better as a result, but your comfort will increase.”
ING is gradually introducing the notched card. Whenever an old card is replaced, a new one with cutout is delivered. That is why the operation has also been running for five years. In total, more than four million notched cards should be in circulation by 2025.
Incidentally, the notch is not the only aid. “Visually impaired people also recognize the difference between debit and credit cards more easily thanks to laser engraving”, says director payments at ING Belgium Amaury Vanthournout.
