Bank of Ireland becomes the first Irish bank to be Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly

Pictured as Bank of Ireland becomes the first Irish bank to be Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly are: Aidan Martin, Sunflower service user and TCD student, Marie Devitt, Business Partnerships Manager, Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland and Conor O’Donnell, Sunflower service user and TCD student.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower offers a discreet way for people to signal that they may need extra understanding, time, or support. Recognising that not all disabilities are visible, Bank of Ireland has trained its staff to identify the Hidden Sunflower lanyard or pin, ensuring that colleagues and customers who wear it receive the additional support they may need.

Bank of Ireland is the first Irish bank to become Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly, with all of its 182-branches across Ireland and Northern Ireland now recognising the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol, as well as extending its JAM Card partnership.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for people to voluntarily share that they have a “non-visible” disability or condition that may not immediately be apparent to others. Those availing of the service can wear a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard or pin to indicate that they may need a helping hand, or more time in bank branches, with Bank of Ireland branch colleagues trained to identify the Sunflower ensuring additional supports can be provided when required.

The JAM Card is another discreet way to let others know that you need ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and support, with Bank of Ireland first becoming JAM card friendly in July 2020. Customers can show their JAM Card in branches to let a member of staff know they need a little extra time or assistance when doing their banking and all Bank of Ireland branch teams have also been trained to recognise the JAM Card.

In addition to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and Jam Card initiatives, Bank of Ireland is introducing a broader programme of customer accessibility enhancements, including accessible ATMs, simpler customer communications, and new supports for customers with hearing impairments. These changes are part of a wide range of accessibility improvements being carried out across the Bank following the introduction of the European Accessibility Act.

Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “Providing an accessible and welcoming banking experience for all our customers is a priority, and I am delighted that we are the first Irish bank to become Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly. We also recognise the JAM Card across our entire network, are installing 650 new accessible ATMs, and have improved supports for customers who are deaf or have hearing or speech difficulties with SignVideo – an on-demand sign language video interpretation service. These initiatives help remove barriers that some customers encounter on a daily basis, and we will continue working to provide inclusive banking services across our entire customer base.”

Paul White, CEO at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Bank of Ireland to ensure all their branches are now Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly. I want to recognise the continuing steps the Bank is taking to provide an inclusive banking experience for all its customers.”

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Notes to Editors;

Further information about the full range of Bank of Ireland’s accessibility supports is available at Accessibility | Customers, Families and Carers | Bank of Ireland |