Bank of America - Employment

People with Disabilities Fact Sheet

From the nation's largest Talking ATM network to unprecedented associate accommodation programs, Bank of America is committed to delivering higher standards of accessibility for all.

Bank of America takes pride in its commitment to serving the needs of people with disabilities. Nearly 54 million Americans, or one-fifth of the American population, have some level of disability. Providing increased access to financial services for people with disabilities is a strategic business priority for the company. The bank recognizes that this segment, with an estimated buyer power of $175 billion, has long been underserved by the financial services industry.

Here are just some of the ways Bank of America is working aggressively to meet customer needs:

In serving customers with disabilities, Bank of America...

• Developed Bank of America Accessible Banking^TM, a holistic approach to offering accounts and services that increase access for customers. Examples include:
  • The nation's largest Talking ATM network
  • Bank of America Access Loans^TM, which provide affordable and flexible loan terms to purchase, adapt or equip homes and cars with accessibility features
  • Braille or large-print consumer checking and savings account statements and raised-line, large print checks at no additional cost
  • TTY customer service telephone numbers
  • Other accessible channels such as Telephone Banking, Online Banking, drive-thru teller windows and ATMs, as well as Direct Deposit and Automatic Payments
• Conducted the first comprehensive survey of consumers who are blind, deaf or mobility impaired in the financial services industry
• Formed an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessibility Business Unit Advisory Team in 2003 to maximize access and simplify banking for everyone by establishing guidelines that will ensure products, services and the banking environment are usable by as many people as possible.
• Provides alternative format resources such as Braille, large-print, audio, automated, online and reader services.
• Integrated font-size standards for consumer brochures and communication pieces to increase readability for people with vision impairments.
• Committed more than $1 billion to businesses that are owned by multicultural individuals, females or people with disabilities as part of its Supplier Diversity and Development Initiative.
• Was recognized with a Profile of Excellence Award from the Solutions Marketing Group, a disability-related marketing firm, who honors companies that work to make their products and services available to all customers.
• Embraces the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing equal access to its banking centers for all customers and associates.
• Utilizes Universal Design concepts with the intent to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and physical environments useable by as many people as possible.

In providing online accessibility, Bank of America...

• Continually enhances its Web environment to increase accessibility and usability for everyone. Furthermore, Bank of America has undertaken the task of making the Web more accessible to people whom use adaptive technologies based on priorities established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
• Shares comprehensive accessibility information with all visitors through the Bank of America Accessible Banking Web site.
• Partners with a variety of Web accessibility specialists and conducts usability tests to help ensure a friendly and usable Web experience.

In building critical partnerships, Bank of America...

• Supports the disability community through the Bank of America Foundation, granting more than $2.2 million in the last three years to organizations that serve people with disabilities.
• Participates in or sponsors national disability organization events, including National Federation of the Blind, American Council of the Blind and CSUN Technology and Persons with Disabilities conventions.
• Provides educational opportunities for students with disabilities with annual grants of up to $200,000 through the Abilities Scholarship Program.
• Celebrates National Disability Awareness Month by strengthening associate and customer awareness of people with disabilities. Activities have ranged from participating in National Mentoring Day, where students with disabilities learn about financial careers first-hand, to conducting interactive games that dispel common myths and stereotypes.

In practicing an inclusive, diverse workforce, Bank of America...

• Formed the Disability Affinity Group, a group of associates with disabilities who provide valuable information about accessibility to business units throughout the bank.
• Works closely with national and community-based organizations, such as Goodwill Industries, to create meaningful career opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Provides key bank communications in alternative formats such as Braille, large-print and electronic media for associates who are blind or visually impaired.
• Ensures that associates with disabilities who need workplace accommodations can obtain them through the bank's National Accommodation Program.
• Makes certain through its Disability Accommodation Fund, that hiring decisions focus on associate qualifications and not the potential cost of workplace accommodations. Each year, $450,000 is allocated to this fund.
• Requires all associates to attend diversity training, which includes materials that goes beyond race and gender to include people with disabilities.
• Maintains a number of disability-focused associate Web sites that provide detailed information about disability-related programs, accounts and services.