Learning Disabilities
Everyday Payments for People with Learning Disabilities
Enabling:
- Financial Independence
- Safe Transactions
- Improved Accessibility
Supporting People with Learning Disabilities in the Digital Age
In the UK, 1.5 million people live with learning disabilities, yet many face many obstacles when it comes to using, receiving, and making payments. The rise of digital payments, fewer in-person terminals, and complex fraud tactics are making transactions harder and riskier for individuals with learning disabilities. Despite these challenges, many people with learning disabilities want to make everyday payments independently – sometimes with the support of a trusted third party (TTP) but without the need for formal solutions like a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
A Call to Action for the Fintech Industry
Project Nemo and Kathryn Townsend , the Government Ambassador for Disability and Accessibility for the Banking sector, has launched a call to action focused on improving safe, everyday spending options for individuals with learning disabilities. This initiative aims to support individuals who may need help from a trusted third party, such as a family member, to maintain as much independence as possible in managing their finances. The goal is to provide better support and more accessible solutions for managing payments and financial transactions. To drive meaningful and lasting change, four interdependent workstreams have been established.
Workstream 1: Research & Insights
Led by Nationwide, this workstream is collaborating with Mencap, Dosh and others to define market size, identify specific user needs, and create a system for ongoing user feedback.
Workstream 2: Legal & Regulatory
Led by Fox Williams, this stream is tackling current barriers to service provision, with a focus on exploring the legal and regulatory considerations around improving accessible provision.
Workstream 3: Existing Solutions showcased via the Innovation Challenge
This stream explores how current products can address each step of the payments journey for people with learning disabilities. We launched the Innovation Challenge, in partnership with Fintech Fringe and the Payments Association, inviting Fintechs with end-to-end or component solutions to participate. Registration is now closed. Winners will be showcased on the Innovation Stage at Pay360 on the 26th March 2025.
“We’re calling on fintechs to showcase impactful solutions that remove barriers and empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve financial independence. Whether through customer-facing tools or B2B innovations, this is an opportunity to drive meaningful change in an underserved market” says Joanne Dewar, founder of Project Nemo.
Find out more via the Challenge Overview page.
Workstream 4: New Solutions
The final stream will be focused around new solution development opportunities and will focus around one or more dedicated innovation workshops for those in the fintech and payments supply chain who want to lean in and make a difference working with existing programme managers. Details of this are to be released at a later date.
Please contact Project Nemo [email protected] if you’d like further information.
“Like everyone involved with Project Nemo, I’m passionate about driving inclusion, particularly for those with learning disabilities. We’ve started the conversation, now it’s about everyone getting involved to make the change. This isn’t about asking for special treatment but ensuring everyone is considered and that financial services are accessible to all.” Kathryn Townsend, Government Disability & Access Ambassador for Banking Sector
Learn More From Lived Experience
Gain valuable insights from advocates, experts, and individuals with lived experience. These inspiring videos provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for enabling everyday payments for people with learning disabilities.
Topping up Independence
Chloe, a 22 year old girl with Cohen Syndrome, and her mum Catherine Ann share the real-life challenges they face when managing finances, highlighting the need for better solutions.
Safe spending for people with Learning Disabilities
Insights from our roundtable event hosted by Project Nemo and Kathryn Townsend, the Government Ambassador for Disability and Accessibility for the banking sector, looking at potential strategies and solutions to enable safe, secure and independent financial management.
Talking Heads Video
Discover the importance of accessible financial services directly from those with lived experience.
Additional Resources
- AXSChat: Transforming Financial Services: Inclusion and Accessibility in Banking. A 30 minute discussion with Katheryn Townsend and Mark Horrocks and Emily Baum from Project Nemo. Watch or listen to the podcast.
Get involved! Contact [email protected] if you’d like further information.
This project sits outside of industry bodies, such as UK Finance (UKF), The Payments Association (TPA), Payments Innovation Forum (PIF), Innovate Finance (IF) in order to facilitate focus on this issue, collaboration between a wider range of participants and open access to all deliverables. It is however ensuring that it is adding value to existing groups, particularly the UKF Third Party Access Mental Capacity Working Group (TPAMCWG).