Inclusive Microfinance: ensuring the access to mainstream microfinance services for Persons with disabilities

The barriers to access MF services From Microfinance institutions

“We haven’t thought about it.” “There is probably not so many disabled persons running viable businesses.” “We don’t have any knowledge on how to serve this segment.” “We need special products to serve this segment.“ “We are to busy to think about this”

From Persons with disabilities

“MFI are money hunters” “Borrowing money is too risky” “Because of our situation, we should receive grants” “What is microfinance?” “They would always refuse to consider us as clients” “I can’t even access their nearest branch”

The barriers to access MF services Discrimination

 Reluctance from staff to serve Persons with disabilities (deliberately or unconsciously)  Physical barriers to access the MF services  Exclusion by group of borrowers  No communication aiming at Persons with disabilities 

Self-exclusion

Lack of self-esteem  Lack of saving culture  Adverse to risk  Habit of being rejected  Expectation of charity  Lack of information on the existence of the MF services  Lack if understanding of MF mechanisms

What MFI can do !

Including disabled clients in communication materials

What MFI can do !

Making MF branch accessible

What MFI can do !

Recruiting Persons with disabilities

What MFI can do !

Make public success stories of disabled clients

What MFI can do !

 Training for MFI staff  Communication from MFI director to all MFI staff (newsletter or special letter)  Special conditions to groups which include disabled members  Bonus for Loan officer reaching out Pwd  Identify existing disabled clients and get them to recommend new clients

« Should we do all of this alone? » Partnering with actors of the disability sector:

 IDDC members: CBM, NAD, Leonard Cheshire International, Handicap international, etc.

 Disabled people organisation: federation or local organisation (depends on capacities)

« Should we do all of this alone? » Actors of the disability sector are able to

 Conduct staff training  Contribute to MFI outreach programme  Prepare future clients (graduating scheme)  Help make MFI branches accessible  Contribute to recruitment of Persons with disabilities  Help designing communication material  Gather documentation and tools  Be partner to access new sources of funds from donors