BANKING
M & T Bank Offers New App for People with Disabilities
Digital “ Card Decks ” will increase banking accessibility .
Compiled by John Joseph Parker Contributing Editor
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& T Bank will be the first U . S . bank to team up with MagnusCards™ by Magnusmode , a free app dedicated to making the world a more accessible place for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities . The collaboration will create new digital guides that provide visual cues and step-by-step instructions to help people access fundamental banking services .
Available through the MagnusCards app , M & T Bank ’ s digital “ Card Decks ” are designed to increase banking accessibility for the autism and disability communities and are offered free to users .
“ Launching M & T Bank ’ s MagnusCards will help us create a more inclusive , welcoming bank and expand our capabilities to meet the unique needs of our diverse community of customers ,” explains M & T Bank ’ s Chief Information Officer for Consumer , Business and Digital Banking , Sonny Sonnenstein . “ We are excited to work with Magnusmode — not only because they ’ re an inspiring local startup , but also because their product is incredibly intuitive and well-designed to support our customers .”
Digitalized Guidance Through Storytelling
Using digitalized " Card Decks ," the MagnusCards™ app guides users through tasks and activities that might otherwise feel challenging or overwhelming . As Magusmode ’ s first U . S . bank partner , M & T Bank is offering an expanding “ life skills library ,” which provides practical guidance through storytelling Card Decks helping users navigate daily tasks and experiences , such as making ATM transactions and using a debit card for purchases . It uses applied behavior analysis methods , offering prompts and positive reinforcement to support experiential learning .
In addition to banking and money management , the app provides accessibility support for public transportation , healthcare , shopping , school and other places and activities people need to access as part of their daily lives . The app ’ s users include people with autism , down syndrome , acquired brain injury , dementia , ADHD and other cognitive disabilities .
“ Confusing or complex services can create barriers for people with autism and other cognitive disabilities . Our assistive technology helps
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Founder and President of Magnusmode Nadia Hamilton
companies eliminate those barriers and welcome , support and enable people on the autism or disability spectrums ,” says Magnusmode Founder and President Nadia Hamilton . “ In M & T Bank , we found partners who understand the importance of leveraging technology to create practical tools that improve the everyday experiences of all people .”
Employee Advocacy Led the Way .
M & T ’ s Disability Advocacy Network ( DAN ), an employee-led group that advocates for the needs of people with disabilities , identified MagnusCards as a potential opportunity for the bank , and guided its implementation and launch , working alongside M & T ’ s technology team and colleagues throughout the bank .
“ Our MagnusCards will help people count money , use their debit card to purchase things , withdraw cash from an ATM or teller and deposit cash and checks into an ATM ,” explains David Zolnowski , president of DAN ’ s Western New York chapter and a parent-advocate whose son has Down syndrome . “ Each of these essential guides will be extremely helpful to people with disabilities .”
Disabled Family Members Helped Develop the Product .
WNY DAN member Stephanie Tisdale , a vice president and strategic initiatives lead at M & T ,
M & T Bank Chief Information Officer for Consumer , Business and Digital Banking Sonny Sonnenstein
also played an important role in launching M & T ’ s MagnusCards . She asked her 17-yearold brother , Diarllo , who is on the autism spectrum , to serve as the “ acting talent ” in the production of the visuals for the Card Decks . While the ask was a bit outside his comfort zone , he jumped at the opportunity when he learned how his participation would help other people with disabilities .
“ The Disability Advocacy Network wanted real people involved . We didn ’ t want actors , but people who would directly benefit from our collaboration with Magnusmode ,” saysTisdale . “ My brother is never one to be the center of attention , but when he heard it would help people , he was all over it . It was inspiring to see Diarllo contribute to something so important . I want my brother to have the opportunity to live independently , to be able to access the services he needs and to feel like he belongs . The MagnusCards app will be so empowering for him and all people with cognitive disabilities .”
A New Wave of Digital Banking Tools
M & T ’ s MagnusCards launch comes amid the bank ’ s ongoing push to provide new and innovative digital tools and resources to help customers manage their money . A few highlights include :
The Money Smart Cash Flow Tool . M & T has expanded M & T Money Smart , the budgeting and
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