February 2 – The NHRCK has recommended the Chairman of the Nonghyup Agricultural Cooperative Federation (“NACF”) to develop plans to improve its Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), including changes to the currently operating ones, so that the visually impaired can have an equal access.
“Current ATMs operated by the NACF offers voice-recorded instructions only for the non-disabled and bars the visually impaired from using banking services,” says Ms. Oh, who filed a complaint with the Commission in April 2008.
The investigation confirmed that voice-recorded instructions or keypad for the completely blind were not installed in the ATMs, while some machines had enlarged screens designed for people with low vision.
It is also noted that machines that comply with the newly enacted “Guidelines on Accessibility of Automatic Banking Machines” are being produced, and the cost of production is not likely to pose excessive burden to the NACF in view of its size and operating profit. Therefore, the NHRCK concluded that there was no justification in denying reasonable accommodation for the visually impaired.
“It is unlawful for a financial products and services provider to limit, exclude, segregate, or deny persons with disabilities in the provision of services without reasonable ground” Article 17 of the Disability Discrimination Act stipulates.
