Touchscreen payment terminals do not always allow blind people to locate the numbers on the PIN pad independently. In such situations, customers may have to ask a member of staff for help entering their PIN, which means disclosing their code to another person. This problem affects not only new devices but also terminals that have been in use at points of sale for years. How can their accessibility be improved without replacing the entire fleet? One solution is to use Braille overlays designed for specific terminal models and screen layouts.
Why Do Touchscreens Make It Difficult for Blind People to Enter Their PIN?
With a traditional physical keypad, users can identify the position of the keys by touch. A flat touchscreen does not provide the same tactile reference points. As a result, blind people cannot locate individual numbers independently unless the interface includes additional tactile markings.
The scale of the problem is highlighted in a report by the European Blind Union (EBU), based on a survey of 18 national organisations. 16 reported that flat screens without tactile markings prevent blind customers from entering their PIN independently, while 8 indicated that customers are sometimes forced to disclose their PIN to another person. This is a qualitative study rather than market-wide statistics, but it provides consistent evidence of the problem across multiple countries.
In practice, this limits customers’ independence and requires staff to become involved in an activity that should remain private.
How Do Braille Overlays Relate to Accessibility Requirements?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which has applied since 28 June 2025, introduced accessibility requirements for selected products and services, including payment terminals. The scope of these obligations depends, among other things, on when a device was placed on the market and whether any specific exemptions apply.
For terminals already in use, replacing the entire fleet can be a costly and logistically demanding undertaking. A Braille overlay helps improve accessibility during PIN entry without replacing the device or modifying its software. However, it does not replace an assessment of the terminal’s overall compliance with accessibility requirements.
How Is a Braille Overlay Different from a Silicone Overlay?
Silicone and Braille overlays differ primarily in how users interact with the touchscreen. With a silicone overlay, touching the surface above a virtual button may activate it immediately. A Braille overlay, on the other hand, allows users to locate the raised marking first and then deliberately press the corresponding area of the screen.
Cost is another important difference. When implementing a solution across several hundred or even several thousand terminals, the choice of overlay has a direct impact on the total cost of equipping the fleet.
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How Does a Braille Overlay Work and Why Must It Be Designed for a Specific Terminal and Its PIN Pad Layout?
A Braille overlay is a thin, transparent accessory with raised number markings. Staff place it on the terminal screen while the customer enters their PIN. The overlay stays in place, allowing customers to locate the markings and enter their code independently. Once the transaction is complete, staff remove it. The touchscreen continues to work as usual through the overlay.
Precise alignment of the markings with the virtual buttons is essential. Each overlay is designed for a specific terminal model and its software to ensure that the raised markings align precisely with the virtual buttons on the screen. This is why we do not offer a universal solution. Each design is based on a 1:1 scale screenshot of the PIN pad or access to a device displaying the relevant interface.
Where Can Braille Overlays Be Used?
Braille overlays can be used wherever a cashier or sales assistant serves customers using a touchscreen payment terminal. This includes retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies and service businesses.
The process is simple: a staff member places the overlay on the screen, the customer enters their PIN independently, and the staff member removes the overlay once the transaction is complete. Customers do not need to make any preparations or perform any additional steps.
For more tips on improving service efficiency in restaurants, bars, and cafés, read our article Como melhorar o serviço ao cliente no sector da hotelaria e restauração com as soluções Duratis.
How Can Braille Overlays Be Implemented Across a Large Terminal Fleet?
Implementation usually involves several steps:
- Identifying the terminal models and PIN pad layouts used across the fleet.
- Providing 1:1 scale screenshots of the PIN pads or making the devices available for measurement.
- Preparing designs and samples for each configuration.
- Reviewing and approving the samples.
- Starting mass production and arranging delivery.
- Distributing the overlays to individual points of sale.
For large retail and service networks, the number of required overlay designs depends primarily on the variety of terminal configurations in use. If all locations use the same terminal model and identical PIN pad layout, only one overlay design is needed. If the configurations differ, separate designs must be prepared.
It is also worth informing staff that the overlays are available and explaining how to use them. They simply need to know when to place an overlay on the screen and when to remove it so that customers can enter their PIN independently.
Resumo
Improving payment terminal accessibility does not necessarily mean replacing the entire fleet. Braille overlays make it possible to adapt the PIN entry process to the needs of blind customers, including on devices already in use at points of sale. The key is to ensure that each overlay is precisely matched to the terminal model and its PIN pad layout.
Duratis designs and manufactures Braille overlays in Europe, tailoring them to the specific devices and configurations used by its customers.
Planning to introduce Braille overlays across your payment terminal fleet? Contact Duratis to discuss your device models and find a solution tailored to your requirements.
FAQ
Does one Braille overlay fit every payment terminal?
No. Each overlay is designed for a specific device and its PIN pad layout. The same terminal model may therefore require different overlays if different software configurations are used.
What information is needed to prepare Braille overlays for a terminal fleet?
A list of terminal models and the payment applications they use, along with a 1:1 scale screenshot of each PIN pad or access to a device displaying the relevant interface. Based on this information, we prepare a design and samples for review. Once approved, we proceed with mass production.
Does the overlay affect touchscreen sensitivity?
The overlay is thin and transparent, and the touchscreen continues to work as usual through it.
Does the overlay require any changes to the terminal or its software?
No. It is a physical accessory placed on the screen while the customer enters their PIN. It requires no modifications to the terminal’s hardware or software.
