China's electronic banking service is required to provide easier access for the disabled, according to a set of guidelines co-issued by China Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF) and China Banking Association on December 1.

The guidelines instructed banks to promote accessibility primarily for three kinds of disabled people using e-banking services such as phone and online banking.

For visually impaired users, e-banking should provide a specially designed shortcut touch menu, active ID recognition and easy verification codes.

For deaf customers, the primary concern will be offering multiple visual facilities and instant short message services.

For the physically disabled, the bank will establish a long-distance self-service system allowing them to open accounts from home, which traditionally requires a physical presence at the bank.

The guidelines come as a holiday gift for the 85 million disabled people in China, allowing them to avail themselves of the convenience of technology just ahead of the International Day of Disabled Persons observed on December 3 annually, said Lu Shiming, Vice Chairman of the CDPF.