AIB has enhanced its accessibility and inclusion offering across all branches in Northern Ireland, helping to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment for customers with non‑visible disabilities, communication challenges or additional needs.
All AIB branches in Northern Ireland, now recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. The Sunflower is a discreet symbol enabling customers with non-visible disabilities to signal that they may require extra time, understanding, or support. AIB colleagues have been specially trained to recognise the Sunflower and respond with care, patience and respect, ensuring that every customer feels valued and understood.
Speak Easy Communication Cards are also now available in all AIB branches across Northern Ireland. These cards are designed for customers who experience difficulty communicating, providing a straightforward way to indicate banking needs or questions without having to speak. The cards cover a range of common queries and services, helping customers to communicate confidently and independently. For added convenience, a digital version of the Speak Easy Card is available through the AIB website, allowing customers to access support from home or on the go.
These new initiatives build on AIB’s existing accessibility supports across Northern Ireland. All AIB ATM and Cash and Cheque Lodgement machines in Northern Ireland have been upgraded to offer audio guidance support for cash withdrawals, balance enquiries, mini statements, and PIN services. Language interpretation and translation services are also available in all branches, supporting anyone who may have challenges communicating in English, particularly when it comes to their banking needs, to make financial life easier for them in Northern Ireland.
In addition, AIB has taken steps to ensure its branch environments are as inclusive as possible for neurodivergent customers. This includes autism‑friendly supports underpinned by colleague training, designed to build greater awareness, understanding and confidence when supporting customers who may experience sensory or communication challenges.
Brian Gillan, Head of AIB NI, commented on these initiatives:
“These enhanced measures work in tandem with our existing accessibility and inclusion programmes to make sure that that banking is accessible to everyone, regardless of their individual circumstances.
By recognising the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and providing Speak Easy Cards, we are taking practical steps to break down barriers and support our customers with dignity and understanding. Our commitment is to ensure that every person who enters our branches feels respected and empowered.”
Sinéad Lucey Brennan, Director, Ireland & Northern Ireland – Hidden Disabilities Sunflower said:
“I was thrilled to learn that AIB wanted to join us here at the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. The entire Sunflower team in Ireland aspires to ensure that all people with non-visible disabilities, whether staff or customers and those who choose to wear the Sunflower, are given help, understanding, patience and extra time if they need it when accessing financial services. Our values are so well aligned with AIB that it made complete sense to work together with them.
For more information on the Sunflower, visit https://hdsunflower.com/irl/
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