MARGRET ASUQUO
Consumer Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has called on relevant stakeholders in the financial and related sectors to take the plight of People with disabilities into consideration in the services they offer to Nigeriansa.
The call was made recently at a one-day workshop on "Improving Access and Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Digital Financing" hosted by CADEF in Lagos which brought together government officials, financial institutions, disability organizations, and experts to discuss strategies for enhancing financial inclusion for people with disabilities.
Speaking at the workshop, Safiu Babatunde, Head of Legal Services at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, emphasized the importance of financial inclusion for people with disabilities. He highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing traditional and digital financial services and called for innovative solutions to address these barriers.
"Disability related obstacles affect the participation of individuals at every stage of developmental interventions intended to boost livelihoods of people," Babatunde said. "Key among the resources essential for enhancing the livelihood of individuals is having access to financial resources for undertaking economic activities."
He continued, "Unfortunately over the years, traditional banks do not seem to have served people with disability related obstacles. Persons with disability have limited access to financial services, including traditional and alternative banking, online payment services, and financial transactions as well as mobile banking applications."
Babatunde emphasised the need for public-private partnerships to promote financial inclusion for people with disabilities. "This partnership can bring together government agencies, financial institutions, and disability organizations to collaborate on developing and implementing initiatives that promote financial inclusion for these concerned populations," he said.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, underscored the organization's commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalized groups. She emphasized the need for inclusive financial products and services that cater to the specific needs of people with disabilities.
“CADEF has been empowering individuals with financial literacy, including those with disabilities.”Our goal is to create inclusive financial systems that meet the needs of all Nigerians", she said.
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, also called for increased public-private collaboration to address the financial barriers faced by PWDs.
General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasized the need for tailored financial products and accessible services.
Oyetunde-Lawal, who was represented by Mr. Safiu Babatunde, Head of the Legal Department, urged the banking sector to be more responsive to the needs of PWDs.
Participants discussed the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing financial services, such as limited awareness of available products, inaccessible ATMs and branches, and discriminatory practices. They also explored potential solutions, including the development of accessible mobile banking applications, financial education programs in sign language and Braille, and partnerships with disability organizations.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants agreed on the need for concerted efforts to improve financial inclusion for people with disabilities. They pledged to work together to develop and implement practical solutions that will empower individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the financial sector.
