A world designed for all of us is priceless

At Mastercard, we focus on connecting and powering an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible.

We know that there are more than 1 million visually impaired people in Turkey. And we also know that democratizing payments and building sustainable economies is only possible if each individual has the same access to and control over their financials.

Earlier, we designed the Touch Card for people who are blind or partially sighted. We created an accessible system of payment cards with unique tactile notches — round for debit, square for credit, and triangular for prepaid — so anyone can identify their cards with only a touch. But that was just the beginning.

Early 2023, we joined forces with Papara, one of Turkey’s leading fintech companies, Thales, global technology leader investing in digital and deep tech innovations and BlindLook, a brand that makes products and services accessible to 285 million visually impaired people around the world with freedom technologies. The result was the Voice Card – the first voice technology card in the world to be commercialized.

The card provides convenience for individuals who have difficulty making payments with a POS device. It is inserted into the device, and the users can hear the amount paid on their phone. After entering the card password, the payment is made. Thus, consumers can safely complete their transactions, knowing what they are paying for.

The launch of the Voice Card is yet another milestone in our efforts to enhance financial inclusion across the globe.