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The feature is now available on all modern Global Payments terminals in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Croatia.
According to a survey conducted by Global Payments, the main difficulty for visually impaired users is not contactless payment technology itself, but navigating different types of payment terminals. Controls, card readers and keypads can be positioned differently depending on the manufacturer, while small, low-contrast displays, a lack of voice navigation and short transaction time limits can also create difficulties.
As a result, many blind users need assistance from staff when making payments or avoid self-service terminals altogether.
“More accessible payment technologies help not only customers, but visually impaired entrepreneurs as well. In their day-to-day operations, they can manage payment terminals independently without having to rely on assistance from others. Our goal is for this accessibility solution to become at least a market standard across Europe,” said Gabriella Csóti, head of Global Payments Hungary.
Once activated, the new accessibility mode switches the terminal to a high-contrast display, increases the size of text and controls, and provides voice instructions throughout the transaction.
The terminal can provide information on the type of transaction, the amount, the currency and the layout of the keypad, allowing users to complete payments independently and securely without assistance.
Global Payments said the feature could also help create a more accessible business environment for visually impaired entrepreneurs.
According to European Union data cited by the company, more than 30 million blind and visually impaired people live across Europe. On average, around one in 30 Europeans experiences some degree of sight loss, while the number of people with impaired vision is about four times the number of people who are blind.
The European Accessibility Act sets accessibility requirements for certain products and services to make them easier to use for people with disabilities.
The legislation covers areas including e-commerce, retail banking services, electronic communications, transport and e-books, while payment terminals are among the products covered by the rules. The aim is to promote equal access to commonly used services and harmonize accessibility requirements across EU member states.
Global Payments said its modern Genius terminals are also being prepared for future regulatory requirements. From January 2027, they will be capable of handling the EET 2.0 electronic sales registration system, simplifying administration for businesses.
This will allow merchants to accept payments and record sales on a single accessible device without having to purchase additional equipment.
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