Accessibility Week: this is what banks are doing for accessibility

12 February 2026

Payments for all

Dutch banks are at the forefront of accessible digital services and products in the Netherlands. They have to be, because the average Dutch person uses a service or product from their bank every day, for instance to pay for something, check statements or save money. New EU legislation should ensure that everyone can use public digital services. Banks have already made many improvements in the run-up to that legislation and continue to do so.

Ouder stel zit in een gezellige woonkamer en bespreekt samen iets op een tablet, als ondersteuning bij digitale bankzaken.

Recent improvements at banks

The EU Accessibility Act(opens in new window) was introduced in June 2025 (the European Accessibility Act). Prior to that introduction, Dutch banks have already greatly improved the accessibility of their digital services and products(opens in new window) , for example for the blind and visually impaired and people with reduced manual dexterity. In the coming years, the banks will continue to work hard to continuously improve accessibility.

Simple and understandable language

Every bank has an “Accessibility Statement” on its website, in simple and understandable language, with clear improvement points and target dates. Says Wietske Kamsma, quartermaster of Alliantie Digitaal Samenleven(opens in new window) : “Dutch banks address their customers in plain language and directly show what solutions they offer for people who have difficulties with digital services. Other organisations often limit themselves to explaining the law or a list of technical improvements. Compliments to the banks. Service providers in other sectors can learn a lot from them.”

Here are some of the many changes banks have made:

Many banks allow you to do banking in multiple ways, not only in a web browser or with a mobile app but also on paper or with a classic ‘dumb’ phone.
In online banking and in the mobile banking app, you can have all the information read to you on the screen.
Internet banking can be operated entirely without a mouse, only with the keys of a keyboard.
The colours on the screen are chosen so that colour-blind people can see and read everything properly.
Banks write as much as possible in simple language that everyone can understand.

Mandatory explanation of accessibility

Every consumer service provider must explain the accessibility of its services and products clearly and comprehensibly to its customers, starting on its website. Banks participating in the Accessible Banking(opens in new window) programme list that information here:

Campaign week

This week is Accessibility Week(opens in new window) , an initiative of Every(in), the umbrella organisation for people with disabilities(opens in new window) . Let this campaign week be an opportunity for all bank customers to check with their own bank what facilities they offer for accessibility. This is of interest to everyone and you can help family and friends who have difficulty managing their digital banking independently.

Also check out www.bankinformatiepunt.nl(opens in new window) for lots of help with everyday banking and payments.