Photo caption: AIB’s Managing Director Retail Banking Geraldine Casey and AsIAm’s CEO, Adam Harris.
Every EBS office in Ireland accredited to ensure they are as accessible and inclusive as possible for Autistic people
EBS has partnered with Ireland’s Autism charity, AsIAm, to make all of its 66 offices around Ireland as user-friendly as possible for Autistic people. Every EBS office has received Autism Friendly Accreditation from AsIAm to ensure they are as accessible and inclusive as possible for Autistic people. Earlier this year, AIB was announced as the first Irish bank to receive the accreditation for all its 170 branches.
The branch sensory environment in EBS offices has been enhanced to include changes in lighting to make the public areas of our buildings warmer and more accessible. Sensory kits are available in each of our offices, and quiet spaces are also available in most locations. In addition, we are providing sensory maps on our website showing the layout of each of our offices to help customers plan their visit. We are also delighted to partner further with AsIAm in providing specialised customer support training in Autism Understanding and Acceptance to colleagues across the office network.
AIB’s Managing Director Retail Banking Geraldine Casey said, “Earlier this year, in partnership with AsIAm, AIB was proud to become the first Irish bank with Autism support in every branch. This support is fully embedded across our 170 branches. In recognition of the meaningful impact this has to the communities we serve, this accreditation has now been rolled out in all EBS offices, which have been enhanced to make them as user friendly as possible for Autistic people. Inclusion benefits everyone and when we make our offices more accessible and welcoming, we strengthen the community and reflect the diversity of those we serve.”
AsIAm’s CEO, Adam Harris said, ‘“We are absolutely delighted to see EBS join AIB to provide Autism support in every branch. This is a further important step toward true inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that Autistic individuals and their families can navigate everyday banking with confidence, dignity, and understanding”
EBS Office Manager, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Gavin Kiely said, “I am delighted that EBS has taken this step towards furthering inclusion for Autistic people in our EBS offices nationwide. As a parent who has an Autistic child, I know how important the smallest of adjustments can be to an Autistic person and their families; it also helps to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion. EBS offices play an important role in communities around Ireland and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, valued and included.”
