Barclays is to use in-branch beacon technology to alert staff to the presence of customers with disabilities.
The initiative, developed in response to a customer from the Barclays Sheffield branch, will reduce the need for customers to have to explain their accessibility needs each and every time they enter the branch.
An initial three-month trial of the technology will be held at Barclays' Sheffield branch in Pinstone Street from 3 December 2014, to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Customers can choose to opt-in to the service by pre-registering their information through an app. These customers can share information about their accessibility need and even a photo of themselves, so they can be identified as soon as the app senses the Beacon and sends a notification to iPad-wielding branch staff.
Elaine Draper, director of accessibility and inclusion at Barclays says: “Beacons are the latest in a long line of innovative initiatives from Barclays designed to make our customers lives easier, particularly important for people with non-visible disabilities - something our customers have told us is an issue."