Inclusive Microfinance:ensuring the access to mainstream
microfinance services for Persons with disabilities
The barriers to access MF services
“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 Microfinance institutions 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 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
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
Including disabled clients in communication materials
What MFI can do !
What MFI can do !
Making MF branch accessible
Recruiting Persons with disabilities
What MFI can do !
What MFI can do !
Make public success storiesof 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 toConduct staff trainingContribute to MFI outreach programmePrepare future clients (graduating scheme)Help make MFI branches accessibleContribute to recruitment of Persons with disabilitiesHelp designing communication materialGather documentation and toolsBe partner to access new sources of funds from donors
