In focus
Since June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been in force across all EU member states.
The objective: people with disabilities must have equal access to essential products and services – for example banking services or ATMs. To achieve this, the EAA requires companies to comply with binding accessibility standards.
SBS has been preparing for the requirements and implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) since 2021.
“In Austria and Germany, we started speaking early on with authorities, consultants and associations – with one clear goal: to tangibly improve access to self-service devices for all people.”
— Jan Rosenkranz, Product Owner ATM Application, SBS
In 2023, SBS began the concrete implementation of the EAA requirements in its self-service device software, targeting completion by 28 June 2025.
“As market leader in the self-service segment, we actively contribute to inclusion. Together with Finanz Informatik we developed a solution that covers all legal aspects while also reflecting individual customer needs. On-time delivery by SBS and the successful rollout by Finanz Informatik are a strong example of our partnership in action.”
— Robert Sindinger, VP Sales Banking, SBS
The SBS approach
SBS builds on proven solutions. The user interface of SBS KIXCustomer, the self-service application successfully deployed by Finanz Informatik, was extended in such a way that all EAA accessibility requirements are fulfilled – while the application still feels familiar and intuitive for all savings bank customers.
What’s new:
Scalable font sizes
Optimised contrast display and optional screen blanking
Audio output for all transactions with adjustable volume and speed
Full alternative operation via the numeric keypad
Challenges – solved together
In close collaboration with Finanz Informatik (FI), associations for the blind, affected users and subject-matter experts, proposals were developed, tested and iteratively implemented. Feedback from real-life use flowed directly into the solution.
Because the term “accessible” leaves room for interpretation, we defined concrete implementation proposals and validated them together with Finanz Informatik and the relevant associations.
Thanks to our multi-vendor experience, we can reliably and consistently map device-specific differences (e.g. key layouts, menu structures) across all supported manufacturers.
Result
SBS delivered the application by the agreed deadline. Finanz Informatik upgraded all devices in the field to the EAA-compliant version ahead of the effective date – making it one of the first major IT service providers in Germany to do so.
“Accessibility is, for us, customer focus. Together with SBS, we have created a solution that proves itself in day-to-day use: easy to understand, high contrast, audible and fully operable via the numeric keypad. A key success factor was taking feedback from tests with affected users into account straight away, in order to act in a truly customer-centric way. The first consistently positive responses from these users show just how important the implementation of inclusion is.”
— Andreas Hülsken, Project Manager, Finanz Informatik
A strong signal: accessibility is not an add-on, but a quality gain for everyone.