Access to our services
Accessibility is Desjardins' raison d'être
Desjardins caisses exist first and foremost to ensure everyone in the community can obtain the financial services they need. Accessibility has not only defined the Group's development throughout the years, but also influenced its priorities.
A democratic organization responsive to its members' needs, Desjardins' focus has always been to make its facilities accessible. Several initiatives have been taken to reduce the obstacles that might prevent members with disabilities from being able to benefit from its services.
Here are a few elements that illustrate Desjardins' on-going commitment to accessibility.
- Access to buildings
- Access to ATMs
- Access made possible by other payment methods
- Access to the Desjardins Web site
Access to buildings
Every new Desjardins point of service construction and every large point of service renovation project automatically includes features to provide access to people with mobility impairments according to established standards, including parking spaces.
Access to ATMs
The Desjardins network's 2,916 ATMs (2,800 of them in Quebec) are accessible to people with impaired mobility.
Accessible ATMs can be identified by their lower components (keyboard, screen, buttons) and shelves that are more practical for the wheelchair-bound or people of smaller stature, thus enabling them to safely make transactions.
Voice-guided ATMs help the visually impaired, the functionally illiterate and elderly people take full advantage of ATMs. By inserting earphones into a jack on the ATM, these members can obtain private voice instructions explaining how to use the ATM and guiding them every step of the way through their transactions. This application was developed in collaboration with associations for persons with disabilities.
All of Desjardins ATMs now offer voice-guided services to help the visually impaired make transactions. Desjardins Group is the only institution worldwide with such a large proportion of accessible ATMs. Desjardins also has a new type of ATM that is even more user-friendly for visually impaired and mobility impaired persons. Among other things, the ATM offers ergonomic grab bars which can be used by members to help raise themselves or get closer.
Access made possible by other payment methods
A number of Desjardins services and online solutions can be helpful to persons who don't often leave home. Bills can be paid online or by telephone and received via epost, for example, purchases can be made from home with a credit card, not to mention direct payment, direct withdrawal and point of sale terminals. These virtual access methods favour members with reduced mobility, helping them gain autonomy without sacrificing security.
Access to the Desjardins Web site
In 2003, Desjardins began making its Web site easier to use by persons with various forms of disabilities. As a result, several Priority 1 and 2 guidelines established by the Web Accessibility Initiative were implemented, ensuring, for example, that navigation and presentation are consistent throughout the site. Desjardins plans to continue gradually improving the accessibility of its Web site.
