Thank you for raising the issue of the business case for including people with disabilities. Opportunity Bank of Uganda, LTD (OBUL) has been piloting work to include PWD, with support from Opportunity International. In sum, OBUL hires outreach staff specifically for reaching PWD. These staff link with organizations that facilitate Village Savings and Loans groups for PWD and caregivers. The staff provide accessible financial and business education, help the groups or individual to open bank accounts, and link the groups and/or individuals to loan officers for access to finance. In addition to this work, OBUL has engaged the board and staff in inclusivity training and made physical changes to many branch offices to enhance accessibility, Further, OBUL has engaged in marketing work to position the bank as "the disability bank."
In 2022 we completed a business case analysis and business plan to expand this inclusivity iniitiative. We used the attached business case framework, from the IFC. We found that the business benefits are both tangible and intangible. There are some specific financial rewards in terms of increased customer base and deposit activity. There is a risk management benefit in that the Government of Uganda passed a disabilities act requiring businesses to be accessible. There are marketing benefits as OBUL's market position as a socially reaponsible bank attracts and retains customers and staff. Finally, the work helps OBUL to fulfil its social mission, which can be viewed as corporate social responsibility.
Because many of the benefits of the inclusion initiative are intangible, and the financial benefits alone do not (yet) justify the cost of the work, OBUL will need to invest in subsidy to continue and to expand the program. There is a business case for serving PWD in this situation, but many of the benefits are intangible.
What other experiences might people have to share?
Regards,
Mary Pat McVay Research & Knowledge Manager Opportunity International A: 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606 T: 708.660.8140 (cell/mobile) Skype: marypatopportunity Invest in Opportunity at opportunity.org <http: www.opportunity.org=""> or join us on Twitter <http: opportunityintl="" www.twitter.com=""> and Facebook <http: opportunityintl="" www.facebook.com=""> [cid:image003.png@01D00F04.561B9B40]
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Feb. 8, 2023,
3:54 p.m.
[Hidden email]
Businesses that engage persons with disabilities can benefit from a variety of advantages. Firstly, by engaging persons with disabilities, companies can tap into a largely untapped talent pool. People with disabilities often possess unique skills and talents that can be utilized to benefit the company. Furthermore, engaging persons with disabilities can help foster a more inclusive and diverse workplace, which can lead to increased productivity and creativity.
Additionally, engaging persons with disabilities can help to boost the companyâs reputation and brand. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion are often viewed more favorably by customers, investors, and the public.
Finally, engaging persons with disabilities can help to reduce costs associated with training and onboarding. People with disabilities often require fewer resources to train and onboard, as they may already possess the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform their job. This can lead to cost savings in the long run.
Overall, engaging persons with disabilities can benefit companies in a variety of ways, from tapping into a largely untapped talent pool to reducing costs associated with training and onboarding. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion are often viewed more favorably by customers, investors, and the public, leading to increased customer loyalty and tax exempt benefits.
We just completed a business case development for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Northeast Nigeria marketplace. We intend to pitch this to economic and public sector players. Are there projects out there that have done similar things or taken similar routes? What do companies consider as their incentives? What are your experiences?
Feb. 8, 2023, 4:41 p.m.
Mary Pat McVay
In sum, OBUL hires outreach staff specifically for reaching PWD. These staff link with organizations that facilitate Village Savings and Loans groups for PWD and caregivers. The staff provide accessible financial and business education, help the groups or individual to open bank accounts, and link the groups and/or individuals to loan officers for access to finance. In addition to this work, OBUL has engaged the board and staff in inclusivity training and made physical changes to many branch offices to enhance accessibility, Further, OBUL has engaged in marketing work to position the bank as "the disability bank."
In 2022 we completed a business case analysis and business plan to expand this inclusivity iniitiative. We used the attached business case framework, from the IFC. We found that the business benefits are both tangible and intangible. There are some specific financial rewards in terms of increased customer base and deposit activity. There is a risk management benefit in that the Government of Uganda passed a disabilities act requiring businesses to be accessible. There are marketing benefits as OBUL's market position as a socially reaponsible bank attracts and retains customers and staff. Finally, the work helps OBUL to fulfil its social mission, which can be viewed as corporate social responsibility.
Because many of the benefits of the inclusion initiative are intangible, and the financial benefits alone do not (yet) justify the cost of the work, OBUL will need to invest in subsidy to continue and to expand the program. There is a business case for serving PWD in this situation, but many of the benefits are intangible.
What other experiences might people have to share?
Regards,
Mary Pat McVay
Research & Knowledge Manager
Opportunity International
A: 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606
T: 708.660.8140 (cell/mobile)
Skype: marypatopportunity
Invest in Opportunity at opportunity.org <http: www.opportunity.org=""> or join us on Twitter <http: opportunityintl="" www.twitter.com=""> and Facebook <http: opportunityintl="" www.facebook.com="">
[cid:image003.png@01D00F04.561B9B40]
________________________________
Feb. 8, 2023, 3:54 p.m.
[Hidden email]
of advantages. Firstly, by engaging persons with disabilities, companies
can tap into a largely untapped talent pool. People with disabilities often
possess unique skills and talents that can be utilized to benefit the
company. Furthermore, engaging persons with disabilities can help foster a
more inclusive and diverse workplace, which can lead to increased
productivity and creativity.
Additionally, engaging persons with disabilities can help to boost the
companyâs reputation and brand. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to
diversity and inclusion are often viewed more favorably by customers,
investors, and the public.
Finally, engaging persons with disabilities can help to reduce costs
associated with training and onboarding. People with disabilities often
require fewer resources to train and onboard, as they may already possess
the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform their job. This can
lead to cost savings in the long run.
Overall, engaging persons with disabilities can benefit companies in a
variety of ways, from tapping into a largely untapped talent pool to
reducing costs associated with training and onboarding. Companies that
demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion are often viewed more
favorably by customers, investors, and the public, leading to increased
customer loyalty and tax exempt benefits.
We just completed a business case development for inclusion of persons with
disabilities in the Northeast Nigeria marketplace. We intend to pitch this
to economic and public sector players. Are there projects out there that
have done similar things or taken similar routes? What do companies
consider as their incentives? What are your experiences?
With regards,
John