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Asian Development Bank launches 5 strategic and operational tools for banks to use in improving the financial inclusion and employment of people with disabilities.

We are delighted to share a new suite of tools from the Asian Development Bank (in partnership with GDI Hub) to improve the financial inclusion of people with disabilities.

screenshot of ADB website

Asian Development Bank TSCFP (Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme) Disability Inclusion Project recently launched 5 strategic and operational tools for banks to use in improving the financial inclusion and employment of people with disabilities.

These include:

  • Making Progress: A Self-Assessment Tool Supporting Banks to Advance their Disability Inclusion Agenda
The Making Progress Tool seeks to not only provides insight into “what good looks like” at an operational level, it also provides prioritization guidance and resource signposting for both strategic and operational actions, to help banks make progress to improve disability inclusion, wherever they are starting from today.


  • Breaking Down Barriers: Making Banking Accessible for Employees and Customers with Disabilities
This guide aims to support banks in understanding how to create equitable access to employment alongside accessible banking products and services for people with disabilities. While this guide is principally developed to grow your understanding of disability-inclusive principles, practices and mechanisms, it also emphasizes where efforts can include women and women with disabilities.

  • A Guide to Disability Inclusion Training and Development
This guide to Disability Inclusion Training and Development provides practical advice on how disability inclusion training within banks can be strengthened and extended over time.

  • Accessibility Audit Tool for Existing Bank Branches and Offices

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to conducting accessibility audits. Start by learning the guiding principles outlined within, then apply these principles to audit a prioritized bank branch or premise. Use the findings to identify key areas for improvement, prioritize actions, and agree on a plan to enhance accessibility

  • Implementing Inclusive Design Principles in Banking Organizations: A Practical Guide to Designing for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities

This document focuses on ways to apply inclusive design principles to include people with disabilities in the banking sector; providing practical guidance on steps that can be taken to make premises, telephony, communications, digital channels, products, and services accessible for people with disabilities

The guide helps bank staff understand inclusive design, its benefits for accessible banking, steps to enable inclusion, and learn from case studies of disability inclusion in the sector.

These tools are part of ADB TSCFP’s Disability Inclusion Project, a two year project alongside GDI Hub to assess current practices and policies of TSCFP partner banks (and the region) with a goal to enhance and establish good practices.

Globally, people with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty and have limited access to essential goods and services. Key areas for economic inclusion are access to finance (like affordable credit, savings, and insurance) and job opportunities. People with disabilities often encounter significant barriers in both areas. These new tools are designed to deliver practical action towards inclusion by financial services globally.
Explore the tools