MUSCAT: The first Forum for Persons with Disabilities organised by the Ministry of Social Development has been witnessing a large turnout of visitors from government and private institutions, non-governmental associations, persons with disabilities and their families, school students and services centers working for the welfare of persons with different types of disabilities. The attendees also visited the Bank Muscat stall in large numbers to learn more about the banking services and facilities provided to this important segment of society.
During the event, which is taking place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 1-3, 2023, bank employees introduced visitors to many services tailored specifically for the benefit of the disabled as well as job opportunities at the bank for disabled persons. They also took the time to explain more about how the bank is utilising modern technology to provide better services. The bank’s participation highlights its pioneering role and its keenness to support Oman’s Renaissance by integrating different segments of society in playing their role in strengthening the national economy.
On this occasion, Hamza Abbas al Ajmi, Deputy General Manager – Credit, Bank Muscat, said “Bank Muscat participation in this forum highlights its leading role in enabling the disabled to play their part in society and underscores the initiatives implemented by the bank. The bank will continue to develop and offer new services and products for the welfare of the disabled at all its branches across the Sultanate of Oman.
It may be noted that Bank Muscat has a number of achievements to its credit in this regard including the launching of the first ATM in Oman for persons with visual disabilities, on the premises of the Al Noor Association for the Blind. It has also been taking great effort to ensure that its staff are trained in Arabic Sign Language and available at different branches to better serve customers with hearing and speech impairments. The bank also continues to partner with associations serving the disabled by providing assistive devices to those in need.”
As part of its keenness to provide banking services and facilities to different segments of society, the bank organised sign-language training for more than 200 of its employees in cooperation with the Omani Association for the Hearing Impaired. Bank Muscat continues to be keen to strengthen its pioneering corporate social responsibility in this area.
The bank has also previously provided wheelchairs and electrically-operated beds to the disabled and Braille Sense devices and special laptops to students with visual disabilities at Sohar University. It has also supported the Al Aman Rehabilitation Centre and the Al Wafa Centre for the Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities. These efforts are a part of the bank’s initiatives in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility in helping persons with disabilities to integrate into society and contribute to the development of the country.
As part of its continued efforts to provide enhanced banking services to persons with disabilities, the bank is comprehensively upgrading 11 conventional banking branches and 9 Meethaq Islamic branches across the Sultanate of Oman. Also, its m-Banking app has been updated to allow screen reading in Android and iOS, which can assist persons with visual disabilities. Bank Muscat is also implementing best practices on social media, promotional campaigns and emailers including describing images and videos with alternative text. Hence people with disabilities can easily identify the published multimedia. This reflects the bank’s keen efforts to create a convenient and accessible environment for the disabled in Oman.
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