The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) is urging commercial banks to eliminate discriminatory practices against persons living with disabilities in light of the recent announcement of reforms for the Banking Sector.

In a statement, the Council said it fully supports the initiative to reform the banking sector as announced by the President, and hopes that Banks will ensure that persons with disabilities are accommodated.

According to the organisation, for too long, persons who are visually impaired have been told that they cannot open a personal bank account because of their blindness or acquire an ATM card due to their disability.

Many of the commercial banks justify the position by claiming that they are following their policies. The Disability Council said it must be highlighted that there is no empirical evidence to support such archaic and discriminatory policies.

Additionally, the Council said many commercial banks and their ATM locations are not physically accessible to wheelchair users. However, the council highlighted that while there are challenges experienced by persons with disabilities at most commercial banks, there are a few that model inclusion and accessibility by facilitating barrier-free access to financial services for persons with disabilities.

“With the positive transformation of the disability landscape over the past five years, more persons with disabilities have been able to access jobs, which requires them to have a bank account to receive payment. Furthermore, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security facilitates the transfer of the monthly public assistance grant to personal bank accounts. Therefore, it is critical that commercial banks address discriminatory practices, and implement the necessary measures to ensure that all persons with disabilities can be able to access barrier-free financial services, regardless of their disability type,” GCOPD said.

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