Doha, 22 November 2011- As part of its commitment to provide banking services and products to people with special needs in Qatar, QNB has launched an innovative new service for blind and visually impaired customers who can now find applications in Braille at designated QNB branches.
Braille is a universal sensory language for the blind which allows them to 'read' documents by passing their fingers over them.
The project was completed by QNB with the technical supervision and support of the Arab Union for the blind.
This service is the first of its kind in Qatar's financial sector and aims to ease the banking experience of those with visual disabilities. It demonstrates QNB's commitment to ensuring disabled people have access to the same products and services that other customers have, in addition to supporting the State of Qatar's overall goals for societal integration in order to achieve sustainable development.
Through the new service, the blind customers will be able to read the terms and conditions and all requirements for their requests. They will also receive CDs including these information.
The customers can open current and saving accounts, apply for personal and vehicle loans, issue cards and use power of attorney form as well.
Mr. Habib Chehata, General Manager - QNB Group Operations, said the Bank continues to find new channels and solutions to serve all members of the community, particularly in delivering innovative financial services that support all sections of society.
Mr. Nidal Al Nuaimi, Assistant General Manager - QNB Group Operations, said the implementation of the Braille project is the result of extensive research and development by a dedicated team of experts. He thanked Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind (QSCCB) for its supervisory contribution to the process and wished them further success in making such services available on a larger scale in the public domain.
Dr. Khalid Al Nuaimi, President of the Arab Union for the Blind, Chairman of the Arab Association for Human Rights and Member of the board of Directors of QSCCB, commended QNB's efforts to support people with special needs particularly those with visual impairments which the bank supports by providing talented individuals with growth opportunities and by sponsoring strategic events in addition to making banking services easily accessible to people with disabilities and special needs.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for QNB's outstanding efforts which have resulted in a remarkable new development in financial services in the country, and hoped that all institutions would follow QNB's lead by introducing such services to their portfolio.