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Banking Access for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Step Towards Independence
A recent series of customer listening sessions conducted by the Irish Banking and Payments Federation (IBCB) has highlighted the importance of banking access for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The sessions, which aimed to understand the needs and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in accessing banking services, revealed several key findings.
Key Findings
• Having a bank account is crucial for independence, and branches are a vital resource. • A trusted, friendly face within the branch is essential to provide support and guidance. • Long queues can be challenging, and accessibility issues exist in some branches. • Participants expressed concerns about the level of training and experience among branch staff in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. • Many participants were not confident using digital banking platforms, citing difficulties with passwords, technology changes, and accessibility for those who are visually impaired.
Supports Already in Place
IBCB member banks have a range of supports available to help individuals with intellectual disabilities. These include:
- Additional Support helplines
- Extra Help for Customers, Families, and Carers text service
- Enhanced Customer Support phone numbers
Basic Bank Account Guide
The IBCB has launched a comprehensive guide to the Basic Bank Account, designed to provide essential guidance for customers with intellectual disabilities. The guide is written in plain English and available in 10 languages, including:
• Arabic • French • Lithuanian • Polish • Pashto • Urdu • Portuguese • Mandarin
Irish Prison Service Partnership
The IBCB has partnered with the Irish Prison Service to promote financial inclusion among prisoners. This initiative aims to provide prisoners with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their finances effectively upon release.
Customer Listening Sessions
The IBCB has conducted customer listening sessions with individuals with intellectual disabilities to better understand their needs and experiences in accessing banking services. These sessions have helped identify areas for improvement and inform the development of new supports and initiatives.
Call to Action
As we strive to create a more inclusive financial system, it is essential that we prioritize the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities. By providing accessible banking services and supports, we can empower these individuals to achieve greater independence and financial freedom.
Watch the video below to learn more about the IBCB’s customer listening sessions and initiatives aimed at promoting financial inclusion among individuals with intellectual disabilities:
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