Mastercard, a global leader in payment technology and innovation, has launched its accessible Touch Card solution in Canada.
This initiative aims to support Canadians with sight loss by making payment processes more secure and independent through a tactile card identification system.
The launch comes amid growing demand for inclusive financial tools. Mastercard’s recent survey shows that eight in ten Canadians believe accessibility should be embedded in financial products for the sight loss community, underscoring a clear need for more inclusive payment solutions.
Mastercard, known for its secure payment systems and ongoing innovation in the FinTech space, continues to develop tools that enhance digital and physical commerce experiences. The company’s dedication to inclusivity has been demonstrated through initiatives such as True Name™, Sonic at POS, and now Touch Card.
The Touch Card offers a unique tactile system with differentiated notches – a rounded notch for debit, a squared one for credit, and a triangular notch for prepaid cards. This design enables users with sight loss to identify and orient their cards accurately by touch alone, improving usability, privacy, and transaction speed.
The first product to feature this innovation in Canada is the CIBC Adapta Mastercard, which incorporates the squared notch design to help visually impaired users identify their credit card.
CIBC, a leading Canadian bank, began offering this card from May 1, 2025, reflecting its commitment to accessible banking services.
Touch Card was originally introduced globally in 2021 and forms part of Mastercard’s broader push for financial inclusion. In Canada, it follows other accessibility-driven initiatives such as True Name™, designed for transgender and non-binary individuals, and Sonic at POS, which provides audio confirmation of successful transactions.
The product launch was supported by insights from the Mastercard Pulse survey, conducted in spring 2025, which included a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Canadians. The findings reinforced the public’s desire for greater accessibility in everyday financial tools.
Mastercard Canada senior vice president of marketing and communications Shawna Miller said, “The Touch Card feature is inclusive by design and addresses a longstanding challenge faced by Canadians with sight loss when engaging in everyday financial activities by helping make their payments easier.”
CNIB director of partnerships & innovation Wayne Henshall said, “Touch Card by Mastercard is a welcomed and important step forward in improving the accessibility of payment cards in Canada for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. We applaud Mastercard for integrating accessibility into the design of their new debit, credit and prepaid cards and look forward to continued advances as part of the design, validation and implementation of such solutions. Accessibility benefits everyone.”
CIBC senior vice-president of day-to-day banking Diane Ferri said, “At CIBC, we’re helping clients realize their unique ambitions. The innovative Touch Card feature on the CIBC Adapta Mastercard supports our bank’s continued efforts to ensure our products and services are accessible to all.”
Source: https://fintech.global/
