Mastercard’s Touch Card™ design plays a key role in new UK accessibility standards, making card payments more inclusive

• UK Finance has launched its new Accessible Cards Code of Practice, which will make flat‑printed payment cards easier to use and more inclusive for people with vision or accessibility needs.
• Mastercard’s Touch Card™ design helped shape the standard, providing the tactile notches that distinguish debit, credit and prepaid cards.
• Cards meeting the new Code will begin rolling out next year, with wide industry adoption of c.80% of all personal banking cards expected.

Mastercard will have its fingerprints on a new common standard that will make payment cards more accessible and inclusive for UK consumers.

UK Finance's Accessible Cards Code of Practice is a set of guidelines that will ensure flat-printed payment cards are designed so they can be used easily in stores and online, by those with accessibility needs or impaired vision.

As part of the Code's development, Mastercard contributed its Touch Card™ design specification, which helps people who are blind and partially sighted quickly determine whether they're holding a credit, debit or prepaid card. As more cards move to flat designs, without embossed name and numbers, accessible features such as different-shaped notches to differentiate between card types are increasingly important.

Other features include non‑reflective, matte text areas to reduce glare and rules on contrasting colours to help visually impaired customers

UK Finance also collaborated with industry partners, consumer groups and accessibility organisations, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the British Dyslexia Association.

Mastercard is sharing its innovative Touch Card™ design and specifications with the wider industry as part of this Code of Practice, which is scheme-agnostic. 

Simon Forbes, Divisional President UK & Ireland, Mastercard, said :  

“I’m incredibly proud that Mastercard’s Touch Card specifications will become the new industry standard for more inclusive, accessible cards across the UK. We believe in applying our technology and innovation to create a world where opportunity is available to everyone, everywhere. That means sharing ideas which drive financial inclusion and allow people to pay and get paid, regardless of impairments or additional needs.”

Randall Tucker, Chief Community & Belonging Officer, Mastercard, said :

“Belonging comes to life when barriers are removed and people are empowered to navigate the world in the ways that are meaningful to them. Accessibility is not just the right thing to do. It is a business enabler that helps create systems that work better for everyone. Seeing inclusive design principles like Touch Card reflected in a new industry standard shows what’s possible when we listen to, partner and act with the communities we serve in mind.”

What the new cards will look and feel like

A tactile notch or indent will identify the card by touch, following the Mastercard Touch Card™ design specifications:

o   Round notch for debit cards

o   Square notch for credit cards

o   Triangular notch for prepaid or other cards

Mastercard’s role in supporting accessible payments

Mastercard's work in building a more accessible payments ecosystem doesn’t stop here. Our wider work includes:

Mastercard's signature melody – Mastercard rolled out a signature sonic melody that confirms when a transaction has been completed, helping those who are blind or partially sighted.

 True Name – This unique feature enables cardholders to proudly display their true, chosen first name on their card without requiring a legal name change.

Touch Film – Mastercard created Australia’s first feature-length motion picture without pictures, embracing an inclusive cinematic experience through sound.