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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Not sure this is on-topic, but it is interesting, so here it is.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>OCTOBER 25, 2021 | PURCHASE, NY<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2.2 billion people around the world have visual impairments<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unique notches on the Touch Card’s short side allow the person to distinguish it between a credit, debit or prepaid card<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mastercard extends its commitment to inclusivity by introducing a new accessible card standard for blind and partially sighted people, called the Touch<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Card. There are few effective ways for the visually impaired to quickly determine whether they're holding a credit, debit or prepaid card, particularly<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as more cards move to flat designs without embossed name and numbers. Mastercard is addressing this challenge with a simple yet effective innovation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“The Touch Card will provide a greater sense of security, inclusivity and independence to the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2.2 billion people<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> around the world with visual impairments,“ says Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer. “For the visually impaired, identifying their<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>payment cards is a real struggle. This tactile solution allows consumers to correctly orient the card and know which payment card they are using.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Image: New Touch Card debit card with a round notch, credit card with a squarish notch and prepaid card with a triangular notch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Image: New Touch Card debit card with a round notch, credit card with a squarish notch and prepaid card with a triangular notch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cyi6S5VBp7I<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With the new Touch Card, Mastercard has improved upon a current design standard by introducing a system of notches on the side of the card to help consumers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>use the right card, the right way, by touch alone. The new Touch Card credit cards have a squarish notch; debit cards have a rounded notch; and prepaid<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>cards have a triangular notch. The standard has been designed to work with point-of-sale terminals and ATMs, ensuring it can be deployed at scale.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mastercard’s concept has been vetted and endorsed by The <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Royal National Institute of Blind People<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> (RNIB) in the U.K. and <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> in the U.S. The card was co-designed by <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>IDEMIA,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the global leader in Augmented Identity, providing trusted solutions in the physical as well as digital space.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“As the banking industry responds to new trends and developments, it’s critical that any innovation brings progress for everyone, including those with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a visual impairment,” says David Clarke, RNIB’s director of services. “We’re very pleased that Mastercard understands how important it is that blind and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>partially sighted people have equal and independent access to their own finances.“ <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Innovation should always be driven by the impulse to include,” adds Rajamannar, who is also the company’s Healthcare president. “With one in seven people<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>experiencing some form of disability, designing these products with accessibility in mind gives them equal opportunity to benefit from the ease and security<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a digital world. No one should be left behind.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mastercard has been embedding its <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>signature melody<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> at checkout counters worldwide, a signal to everyone – the sight impaired in particular – that their card transaction has gone through successfully.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mastercard’s launch of the Touch Card underscores its commitment to inclusivity. It follows the introduction of True Name™, designed in support of the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>transgender and non-binary communities. The company’s commitment as a brand is to not only stand against inequity but to be an agent for change.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: Since launch of the Touch Card, the shape of the notches were changed to reflect further refinement of the card.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>