In the view of world disable day, 2024,
Awareness and sensitization of bank employees with disabilities (divyangjan)
Our association wishes World disable day to all divyangjan people. We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. On behalf of the All India UCO Bank Divyangjan Employees Welfare Association, We are writing to express our deepest appreciation for your invaluable time, attention, and understanding. The press briefing on Disability Awareness, organized by ALL INDIA UCO BANK Divyangjanemployees welfare association, aims to promote disability awareness and inclusivity among UCO Bank employees, commemorating World Disability Day.
The association plays a vital role in promoting disability awareness and implementing policies that benefit Divyangjan employees. Their primary objective is to ensure that UCO Bank provides an inclusive and accessible work environment, regardless of the type of disability.
The Accessible India Campaign (AIC), launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), aims to achieve universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The campaign focuses on three key areas: Built Environment Accessibility, Transportation System Accessibility, and Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility
To Implement divyangjan employees related policy in UCO Bank, the association will work closely with the social justice welfare department and divyangjan department under the Government of India. This will ensure that the policies are aligned with the government’s initiatives and guidelines, providing a supportive and Inclusive work environment for Divyangjan employees.
Mr. Subhrangshu Bhakta Cowdhury, General Secretary, said, “On the occasion of World Disability Day, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment for all our employees, including those with disabilities. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential for driving innovation and growth, and we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities and support to our Divyangjan employees.”
“We are proud to be part of an organization that values diversity and inclusion. As we celebrate World Disability Day, we recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is accessible and inclusive for all employees. We are committed to working together to achieve this goal”, added, Mr. Akkisetty Sreenivasulu, President.
December 3rd is observed globally as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. As bankers, we recognize the importance of creating an inclusive and accessible work environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all.As we are celebrating the world disable day on 3rd December every year, our association is conducting various seminars and sensitizing divyangjan people about their rights and equalities which are prescribed for them in PWD act, 2016.
Here are some challenges faced by Divyangjan bank employees and potential solutions:
Challenges Faced by Divyangjan Bank Employees
Physical Accessibility Barriers: Inaccessible bank branches, ATMs, and offices.
Digital Accessibility Barriers: Inaccessible digital platforms, websites, and mobile apps.
Lack of Training and Awareness: Inadequate training for bank staff on disability etiquette and awareness.
Stigma and Stereotypes: Unconscious bias and stereotypes about disabilities.
Limited Career Advancement Opportunities: Biases and lack of opportunities hindering career growth.
Inadequate Support Systems: Insufficient mentorship programs, support systems, and reasonable accommodations.
Transportation Barriers: Inaccessible public transportation and lack of accessible vehicles.
Potential Solutions
Accessible Infrastructure: Implement accessibility audits and retrofitting of bank branches and offices.
Digital Accessibility Solutions: Implement accessible digital platforms, websites, and mobile apps.
Disability Awareness Training: Provide regular training for bank staff on disability etiquette and awareness.
Inclusive Recruitment Policies: Implement policies to ensure equal opportunities for Divyangjan employees.
Mentorship and Support Systems: Establish mentorship programs and support systems for Divyangjan employees.
Reasonable Accommodations: Provide reasonable accommodations, such as assistive technologies and flexible work arrangements.
Accessible Transportation: Provide accessible transportation options for Divyangjan employees.
Career Progression:
Promotion is equally important for PwD employees to excel in their career path, just like any other colleagues. It serves as a motivating factor, gives a sense of recognition to the employees and makes them feel that they are valued. There are many PwD employees who have been promoted to the higher scale over the years. However, there are certain factors which often worry a divyangjan employee. Weightage of marks have been allocated for Branch Head experience/Branch experience/posting in Rural/Semi Urban area in all promotions.
The physical limitation appears to be standing as a barrier in career development, which in turn often elevates the worry among the divyangjan employees, especially due to their disability over which they do not have any control. However, divyangjan employees also have the potential to exhibit leadership qualities, provided they are given alternative and suitable opportunity. Hence, we would request the guidance from our management nent so that divyangjan employees can excel in their career path.
Observation: Divyangjan employees are not be promoted in the promotion process to the higher scales in our esteemed bank and opportunities were not given as faculties in the training colleges.
Today, we have highlighted the Importance of inclusivity and diversity in the banking sector. We believe that Divyangjan employees can be valuable assets to our organization, bringing unique perspectives and skills to the table.
As we move forward, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible work environment for all our employees, including those with disabilities. We will continue to work towards providing equal opportunities, accessible infrastructure, and reasonable accommodations to support the growth and development of our Divyangjan employees.
We hope that our efforts will inspire other organizations to follow suit and create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Together, we can create a society that values and empowers all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Thank you for joining us today and for your continued support in promoting inclusivity and diversity in the banking sector.
