PayU today announced the launch of an accessibility-focused payments checkout designed for people who are blind or visually impaired, with features aimed at improving navigation and independent use of digital payments.
The checkout includes screen-reader optimisation, adaptive user profiles, visual accessibility modes and text resizing. PayU said the solution is designed to comply with the Reserve Bank of India’s October 2024 accessibility mandate, which requires digital payment providers to align their products and services with the Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS IS 17802 accessibility standards.
The screen-reader functionality enables users to navigate the payment journey through voice commands, from selecting a payment method such as UPI, net banking or QR payments through to confirming the payment amount and completing the transaction.
Users can also customise the checkout by adjusting cursor size, button dimensions and navigation aids, with the option to save, switch or reset their preferences. Visual modes include high contrast, greyscale, colour inversion and saturation adjustments for users with low vision, colour blindness or light sensitivity. Text can be enlarged to up to 200% of its standard size without overlapping or hiding content.
“True financial inclusion is only possible when every individual can access and use digital payments independently. At PayU, accessibility is not an afterthought – it’s a core design principle. With the launch of our Accessibility Checkout, we’re helping merchants deliver payment experiences that are inclusive by design while enabling millions of users with diverse accessibility needs to participate more confidently in India’s digital economy,” said Manas Mishra, Chief Product Officer, PayU and Wibmo.
Prashant Ranjan Verma, General Secretary, National Association for the Blind, Delhi, said the checkout enabled him to complete a UPI payment independently using VoiceOver and expressed hope that PayU would continue to strengthen accessibility for users with visual impairments.
PayU said merchants using its payment gateway would not need to modify their existing integrations to offer the accessibility-focused checkout. The company said accessibility features are embedded into the checkout experience, allowing merchants to provide the enhanced payment interface to customers with disabilities.
According to PayU, the RBI’s October 2024 circular requires digital payment providers to ensure that their digital products and services, including websites, mobile applications and software, comply with BIS IS 17802 accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.