Thanks Ray and to all who replied. Ray, yes, that's the kind of ideas I dream of. And again I see these ideas very feasible with the level of technology we have, and with the relatively low cost of implementing them now a days. I certainly agree with you that we're unlikely see any of this without some intervention from the state. The question remains though, where to start from? Best, Amro ----- Original Message ----- From: Ray's Home To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:10 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Barclays got it right! Re internet banking security Really good news Amro, and certainly drop them an email. . Now lloyds TSB, where are you in the game? Related to your 'rant' although many here would unreservedly agree with you, I've often wondered if some sort of generic interface standard could be built in to some equipment to enable data transfer for speech and/or Braille output. I have in mind at the very least a socket of a standardised sort, carrying data to a standard that would be recognized by adaptive devices. Maybe a card socket could be implemented but trouble is these dam things are still changing so much. I suppose there must be many reasons why this isn't done, and if feasible, it would need major trading areas, such as the EU to mandate it I think. Now, all you sceptics, come on and tell me why else it cannot be done! Cheers, From Ray I can be contacted off-list at: mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Léonie Watson Sent: 25 May 2007 7:59PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Barclays got it right! Re internet banking security Amro, I'd definitely recommend dropping Barclays a line. As much as it's important to highlight the obstacles, it's also important to encourage the solutions. I'm with you on the rant though. *Smile. Regards, Léonie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amro Bilal Sent: 25 May 2007 16:47 To: Access-UK Subject: [access-uk] Barclays got it right! Re internet banking security Hello people, To all who are interested. Following the recent discussion about upcoming online banking security measures, I phoned my bank Barclays inquiring and they said. In November, they are introducing a new device called (Pin Sentry) for customers to use at home with internet banking. Pin Sentry is akin to Chip and Pin devices that are used in shops. You slot in your card, key in your pin code and then the Pin Sentry displays a code that you type into your computer. For low vision or blind customers, Barclays said that they are providing Pin Sentry devices with high contrast and high resolution displays, as well as speech output that is provided through a built in speaker! The device will have a headphone socket for total privacy too. Reasonable adjustment, wouldn't you say? So, I think that Barclays alike some other banks that's been talked about has got this one right! And if anyone is interested, I didn't ask about Brail output I'm afraid. I think I'll send them an email of encouragement. It's good to let companies know that they're doing the right thing when they do. Now what I'm about to say is just a rant :) What I can't understand about implementing accessibility measures is this. I'd like to have a self driven car that saves me the hassle of using busses, taxis and bumping into people now and then when travelling on foot. I'd like music to be low in nightclubs so I don't lose orientation. But this is either technologically challenging, or just an unreasonable demand. But, in this day and age, is it really technologically challenging and very costly to make almost every device and appliance in the market accessible through added on speech output? a speaker and couple of pre-recorded messages or a basic TTS engine all what it takes. That's the same technology that is used in a £5 talking clock for heavens sake. Is it really unreasonable in this day and age to demand that all newly printed material to be available in electronic format? I'm not asking for audio format, some e-format that one can read using their own computer and screen reader. All printed materiel is produced electronically on a computer in the first place these days aren't they? Sorry folks, but boy I wanted to take that off my chest :) All the best, Amro