Purple light will bathe HSBC Bermuda’s Harbourview Centre this evening to make United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

It is part of the world’s first #PurpleLightUp 24-hour global broadcast “in recognition of the economic contribution that employees with disabilities bring to organisations across the globe”.

HSBC Bermuda will be engaged in a number of activities to mark the occasion and increase awareness amongst employees of how best to support those colleagues challenged with invisible and/or visible disabilities, “so they and those who care for them, can be their best at work”.

The Front Street side of the Harbourview Centre will be illuminated in purple light this evening, joining other HSBC markets and countries around the world showcasing appreciation of valued disabled colleagues.

Tanya Bule, head of wealth and personal banking and marketing, said: “In addition to recognising the significant contributions of our colleagues with disabilities, Thursday will provide HSBC Bermuda branch network staff with the opportunity to show our customers the changes we are making to ensure the bank is accessible to everyone.” She said examples are:

• Branches offering level access and are already wheelchair accessible, to make it as easy as possible to enter and conduct business.

• The bank’s website supporting visually impaired customers, and has been designed in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the World Wide Web Consortium, that's used to ensure websites are designed and written in a way that makes them accessible to everyone.

• In addition to telephone banking, HSBC Bermuda provides a large version of its secure key device for internet banking, which is easier to read for customers who have difficulty seeing the buttons and it provides audio functionality.

Ms Bule added: “Other projects are already under way as we work towards making HSBC fully accessible for everyone.”