Accessible credit reports provide increased independence and enhanced security

Previously only available in standard print, it was recently announced that blind, deafblind and partially sighted consumers will soon have the ability to obtain/access their credit reports in a variety of accessible formats.

Free online reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will be available through the Central Source site, and will comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by October of this year. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA), that issue Annual File Disclosures and provide information and other services to consumers throughout Canada and the U.S, and Central Source is the centralized ordering forum for requests. As of October 31st, consumers with visual impairments can visit AnnualCreditReport.com to view their credit reports accessibly, and reports will alternatively be available in braille, large print and audio formats as of December of this year.

I applaud this initiative and all the people involved in seeing this to fruition. It is essential to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to review and respond to credit reports, especially during these uncertain economic times. Any information not disclosed in alternate formats creates considerable challenges for blind, deafblind and partially sighted customers, leaving them vulnerable when attempting to access this inherently private and confidential information. Up until now, credit information that was requested or delivered in conventional print forced blind and partially sighted customers to rely on the assistance of a sighted individual to read and relay their information, limiting their independence and security - leaving them susceptible and exposed to incidents of fraud and identity theft.

Offering credit reports in alternate formats provides blind, deafblind and partially sighted consumers with increased independence, and enhanced security for both the individual and respective service providers.