What if I told you that the future of lending could hinge on something as simple as a button? Sounds absurd, right?
Microfinance Institutions & Small Finance Banks primarily serve underserved communities. Yet every day, potential borrowers—small business owners, farmers, or sometimes even tech-savvy millennials—slip through the cracks either due to physical/cognitive disabilities or maybe just by being out of touch with technology.
Misinterpreting an unlabelled alert/warning indication in red due to colour blindness, or lack of alternatives for documentation could mean the difference between growth and stagnation or worse, result in approaching unsavoury means of availing loans which at the time may seem more convenient, like borrowing from loan sharks without legal involvement or security.
While the RBI has made significant strides in ensuring physical accessibility for individuals with disabilities in the banking sector, such as mandating ramps and braille keypads for ATMs, wheelchair-accessible bank branches, there is still room for improvement, particularly in the realm of digital products. How can we ensure accessibility in our apps and softwares? Here are a few tips:
4. Don’t forget about colour blind users
Here’s an interesting stat—according to research conducted by IJCMR in 2020, about 3.89% of men and 0.18% of women in India are colour blind. however, most cases go undiagnosed and according to Economic Times as of 2023, roughly 70million people in India are experiencing it. That’s a lot of potential borrowers!
So, when using colour to convey meaning (like warning users about missing documents), always make sure there’s a backup, like an icon or text label. Accessibility isn’t just a compliance checkbox—it’s a commitment to removing barriers, enhancing usability, and making your platform intuitive for everyone. By designing inclusively, you not only serve a broader audience but also demonstrate a thoughtful, user-centered approach that builds trust and loyalty among all users.
It’s all about removing guesswork!
