THE NEED AND THE REALITY

One has to be financially independent to live independently today. Financially independence involves earning a living, managing one’s own finances and having financial security. Whilst it is easy for most of us to open and operate bank accounts or to get ourselves insured, it is not so for the visually challenged.

It is often a traumatic experience for the visually challenged to open and operate a bank account. This is because the visually challenged more often than not use a thumb impression instead of a signature. Unfortunately, a thumb impression is not acceptable on cheques. As a result such persons have to rely on others who have to hold an account jointly with them. This may not always be practical or even desirable.

According to the judgment of the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the visually challenged may issue cheques, but when they affix a signature, they have to give an undertaking that they would not hold the bank liable for any loss. Although such a judgment is an important one, it still leaves many questions unanswered. Moreover, it should be streamlined and enforced. In the case of accident and life insurance too, the visually challenged face many obstacles. More often than not, it is one of denial.

At present there are widespread discrepancies between the financial autonomy permitted to the visually challenged and to the sighted. Also there are a lot of differences in the way various organisations implement rules.

Thus Project Access seeks to build a social climate that empowers the visually challenged in India to access banking and insurance like any other citizen.

Plan

The XRCVC is working with likeminded individuals and organizations to find an effective solution to this problem.

The visually challenged community, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and other related authorities have to jointly create a viable solution to the above mentioned problems.