BANKS SEEK TO NARROW ‘DIGITAL DIVIDE’ ABA Lodges Disability Action Plan with Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Sydney, 2 May, 2001: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) has lodged its Disability Action Plan with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Chief Executive of the ABA, David Bell, said the industry is playing its part in eliminating the digital divide that makes accessing electronic services difficult for older people and people with disabilities. "As technology reshapes the financial services industry, it is critical all people have access to electronic networks such as EFTPOS, ATMs, Telephone, Internet banking and Smart Cards across the industry, " he said. "The Disability Action Plan will commit the industry to developing industry-wide best practice standard and protocols for voluntary adoption by the banks. "Banks will then use these standards to upgrade their products, services and facilities to world-best standard accessibility." "The next step after lodgement is for the working groups to write the accessibility standards within the specified timeframe outlined in the plan." Mr Bell said the industry consulted widely with the community for a year in the development of this plan. "Instrumental in helping develop the plan was the Accessibility E commerce Forum, an initiative of the HREOC and the ABA, which includes representatives from a range of industry, Government and community groups. Mr Bell said the Disability Action Plan was designed to address the recommendations in the HREOC report (June 1999): "Accessibility of Electronic Commerce and New Service and Information Technologies for Older Australians and People with a Disability." A full copy of the Disability Action Plan can be found on two websites: www.bankers.asn.au www.humanrights.gov.au For further information contact: Heather Wellard ABA PR Phone: 02 8298 0411 Mobile: 0409 830 439     ENDS