Fri, 28 Feb 2025

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 Disabled people demand cash access: 'It makes me feel independent'

Disability Rights UK and the RNIB are warning that a cashless society could create barriers for disabled people.
Leading disability charities, Disability Rights UK (DRUK) and Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), have warned that plans to phase out physical cash could create "more barriers" for disabled people. They are calling on the government to ensure continued access to cash and banking services, citing concerns from millions of vulnerable individuals who rely on it. Reece Kinsman, a 31-year-old with Williams Syndrome, relies on cash to manage his finances due to difficulties tracking spending when using cards. His mother, Ann-Marie, notes that handling physical money has given Reece a tangible sense of control over his finances. Charities are urging the government to provide clear guidance and legislation requiring businesses to accept cash as an alternative payment option. Fazilet Hadi from DRUK emphasizes the need for "a choice of payment options" including cash, highlighting that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for consumers with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities share their personal stories:
* Reece Kinsman's mother notes that without cash, Reece would struggle to learn basic math skills.
* Jack Hickinbotham, who has autism and epilepsy, relies on cash to feel independent and confident in his transactions.
* Samantha Smith, a registered blind individual, emphasizes the importance of physical cash for her daily transactions and warns against increased vulnerability to scams. A Treasury spokesperson states that businesses can choose which payment methods they accept, but new rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority aim to ensure businesses can deposit cash.
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