Since the end of June 2024, Polish ATMs and payment terminals began to surprise users. fresh voice messages, clearer screens and facilities for people with disabilities are the consequence revolutionary changes introduced by the European Union. Although many Poles have not yet noticed this transformation, experts emphasize: this is only the beginning. Millions of citizens, including over 4 million people with disabilities, they will benefit from those provisions which aim to make digital services available in real life.
These changes arise straight from the European Accessibility Act, which has become applicable in Poland and the EU as a whole. June 28, this year. This groundbreaking law aims to guarantee that key products and services are available to all, regardless of their efficiency. What does this mean in practice for each of us? Prepare to usage ATMs, terminals in stores or even ticket machines will never be the same again.
No more barriers? This is how ATMs and terminals change in Poland
Many of us can already come across the first effects of EU regulation. ATMs in the largest Polish cities, as well as smaller towns, are equipped with innovative solutions that importantly improve their usefulness. Notable are above all clearer, contrast screenswhich facilitate the handling of people with visual impairment. Key novelties are besides voice messages run automatically after inserting the card, leading the user step by step through the transaction process. This is simply a large aid for the blind and the visually impaired, who so far had to trust on the aid of others.
Moreover, fresh devices are designed for wheelchair users, offering appropriately reduced keyboards and screens. Buttons are increasingly described in Braille alphabetwhich is the next step towards full integration. These seemingly insignificant modifications are circumstantial facilities to make the same devices possible for people with reduced mobility or cognitive problems. According to statistics, Poland lives above 4 million people with different types of disabilityFor which these changes are a real revolution in everyday life.
Revolution outside the bank: Shops, train stations, parking lots – what else is waiting for changes?
The European Access Act is much more than just ATMs. Its scope is much wider and concerns a number of digital devices we encounter all day. The provisions besides include payment terminals in stores, ticket machines at stations and stops, self-service cash register in supermarkets and even parking equipment. Although full replacement of all devices is simply a process that will take time months or even years, fresh standards are already in force and equipment manufacturers must strictly comply with them.
This means that any recently manufactured and marketed equipment must comply with strict accessibility requirements. This guarantees that with time all digital infrastructure – from the money at the marketplace to the ticket office at the station – it will be more intuitive, readable and accessible to everyone. This gradual but consistent transformation aims to build a society where technologies do not make barriers but become a tool to support independency and equality in access to services. Companies and operators must plan to exchange their equipment, which is simply a immense logistical and financial challenge, but besides a legal request for the EU.
Who will benefit from the fresh regulations? Millions of Poles, not only with decisions
The main beneficiaries of the European Accessibility Act are, of course, people with different types of disabilities, for whom digital barriers have been a regular reality so far. However, the benefits of these changes go far beyond this group. New, more intuitive and available devices will make life easier besides seniorswho frequently conflict with handling complex interfaces. Patients injuries, with temporary wellness problems (e.g. broken hand) or even parents with tiny children will besides appreciate simpler and more ergonomic solutions.
In practice, this means that At any point in our lives, each of us may request to make things easier.. The fresh rules make these facilitations standard alternatively than exception. Older, under-adjusted devices will be phased out from the marketplace and modern equivalents will be replaced, full in line with accessibility requirements. Operators and ATM networks are required to implement these fresh solutions gradually but with full consistency. Therefore, it is worth watching the environment closely and paying attention to how we usage ATMs or terminals – if something looks different, it works differently and even “talks” to us after inserting the card, it is simply a sign that EU regulations are working and changing our everyday life for the better.
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New ATMs in Poland. The EU introduces a revolution for 4 million Poles!
