Use accessibility mode to make accessible payments on Android terminals

For shoppers with visual impairments, using a payment terminal can be challenging. Depending on your location, it can be a regulatory requirement to make your payment terminals accessible to shoppers that are visually impaired. You can configure your Adyen payment terminals to provide accessibility for this group of shoppers .

When making an accessible payment, the payment terminal provides shopper with audio instructions. It guides the shopper through the payment flow by reading out the instructions on the terminal screen. It reads out all UI elements that the shopper touches while sliding their finger over the terminal screen.

How it works

After you have configured accessibility mode on your terminal:

1. You trigger an accessible payment either:
   • From the terminal audio jack standalone terminal: select Payment, enter the value of the transaction, and plug in a pair of headphones into the terminal's audio jack to trigger the accessibility mode.
   • From a POS app: make a payment request with a Base64-encoded Operation object to trigger the accessibility mode. Then plug in a pair of headphones into the terminal's audio jack.

     When the terminal is in accessibility mode, the timeout period is extended to give the shopper time to listen to the audio instructions.

2. The terminal reads out the text displayed on the terminal screen, and instructs the shopper on how to present their payment card.
3. The shopper presents their card to complete the payment.

Audio instructions without headphones

Accessibility mode can be used without headphones. The audio instructions are then played using the speakers on the payment terminal.
With a standalone payment, you can only start the accessibility mode by inserting the headphones in the audio jack. If you remove the headphones during the payment flow, the audio instruction continue on the speakers of the payment terminal.

Before you begin

To configure accessibility mode:

1. Update your terminal to firmware software version 1.106 or later.
2. Contact our Support Team:
   • Ask them to enable accessibility mode.
   • Tell them if you want to extend the timeout. By default, the timeout is 120 seconds in accessibility mode.

Current restrictions

Adyen continues to develop accessibility mode. The feature currently has the following limitations:

• Accessibility mode is only available in English.
• Tipping and Giving are not supported.
• EMV by signature is not supported.
• Accessible payments are only available on S1E2L, S1F2, and S1U2 Android payment terminals. To use accessibility mode on AMS1 payment terminals, you need a USB-C audio jack adapter.

Make an accessible payment from a standalone terminal

1. Select Payment on the terminal screen.
2. Plug in a pair of headphones into the terminal's audio jack to trigger the accessibility mode.
3. Enter the transaction value and confirm to continue.
4. Hand the terminal and the headphones to the shopper, so they can complete the payment.
5. The shopper presents their card and follows the audio instructions to complete the payment on the terminal.

If the payment is successful, Approved is shown on the terminal display. The terminal exits the accessibility mode.

Make an accessible payment from the POS app

1. Create an Operation JSON object with the Operation.Type: Payment and Operation.Variant: EnableAccessibilityMode:

2. Encode the Operation JSON object to Base64. You will pass the resulting string in SaleData.SaleToPOIData.

3. Make a PaymentRequest with:

   • MessageHeader: the standard SaleToPOIRequest.MessageHeader object. Specify:

     Parameter	Required	Description
     ProtocolVersion		3.0
     MessageClass		Service
     MessageCategory		Payment
     MessageType		Request
     ServiceID		Your unique ID for this request, consisting of 1-10 alphanumeric characters. Must be unique within the last 48 hours for the terminal (POIID) being used.
     SaleID		Your unique ID for the POS system component to send this request from.
     POIID		The unique ID of the terminal to send this request to. Format: [device model]-[serial number].

   • PaymentRequest: the request body. This includes:

     Parameter	Description
     SaleData.SaleTransactionID	An object with: TransactionID: your reference to identify a payment. We recommend using a unique value per payment. In your Customer Area and Adyen reports, this will show as the merchant reference for the transaction. TimeStamp: date and time of the request in UTC format.
     SaleData.SaleToPOIData	The Base64-encoded Operation object.
     PaymentTransaction.AmountsReq	An object with: Currency: the transaction currency. RequestedAmount: the purchase amount, with decimals.

   The payment response is the same as with a regular payment. When your payment has been processed, the terminal exits the accessibility mode.

See also