- Application To Facilitate Kenyan Sign Language Training For Bank
- At Least One Hundred Common Bank-Environment Vocabulary To Be Featured
Nairobi 18th October 2021 – Leading financial sector advocacy group Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) has entered a partnership with Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSD Kenya) and software engineering firm Deaf eLimu Plus to create the first bank-environment Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) self-training mobile Application. The solution will be the first of its kind in Africa.
To be developed by Deaf eLimu Plus, the software will aim to support bank employees to learn basic KSL, facilitating better communication with Deaf bank clients. The initiative is part of efforts towards implementing the recommendations of the Banking Industry Persons With Disabilities Accessibility Report released jointly by KBA and FSD Kenya last year. The App will feature at least one hundred words and ten phrases drawn from common bank-environment vocabulary, including video demonstrations on how to sign the words in KSL.
In his remarks during a forum convened to sign the partnership agreement, KBA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Habil Olaka welcomed the collaboration, saying the innovation will enhance the customer experience Deaf bank clients and support financial inclusion of the Persons With Disability community in line with the KBA 2019-2023 Strategic Plan. “The App will play a huge role in building capacity among bank staff on Kenyan Sign Language, facilitating enhanced interactions among bank staff and the Deaf community,” Dr. Olaka said.
There are over 150,000 Deaf people in Kenya, according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Report.
FSD Kenya Chief Executive Officer Tamara Cook highlighted the need to continue exploring how Clients With Disabilities can get better access to banking services in Kenya. “I like that we now call them Clients With Disabilities, not just people, because these are the clients of banks and they need to have that kind of access and be treated with the respect that they deserve, but also make sure that they have all the information they need to fully utilise those financial services,” she said.
Deaf eLimu Plus founder Hudson Asiema said the partnership is important since the Deaf have always had challenges accessing banking services because of communication challenges. “This App will be called ‘Deaf eLimu Banking’. It will support banking staff to learn basic Kenyan Sign Language, easing communication and enabling the Deaf to access banking services,” said Mr. Asiema.
Findings from the Banking Industry Persons With Disabilities Accessibility pilot study conducted by KBA and FSD Kenya last year indicated that Deaf customers were the least satisfied group of bank clients, with their main area of dissatisfaction being communication. Bank staff also expressed dissatisfaction with communication while serving Deaf customers.
The report recommends that banks should train at least one staff member at every branch on basic Kenyan Sign Language. From case studies documented in the report, the customers also highlighted the need for an interpreter or staff who understands sign language to be available at the bank branches to facilitate communication with Deaf Clients.
Besides KSL training, the report outlines timelines for implementing other recommendations, which include the requirement for banks to develop roadmaps projecting how they will ensure their websites, mobile applications, written or electronic banking documents are accessible in line with internationally recognised best practices accessibility standards. Over 30 banks have so far developed Persons With Disability Digital Accessibility Roadmaps, setting implementation timelines.
In addition, KBA has developed a database of certified KSL trainers for the industry to deliver training on Persons With Disabilities etiquette and Kenyan Sign Language lessons. The sessions will be conducted both face-to-face and online.
About the Kenya Bankers Association:
KBA (www.kba.co.ke) was founded on 16th July 1962. Today, KBA is the financial sector’s leading advocacy group and banking industry umbrella body that represents total assets in excess of USD 40 billion. KBA has evolved and broadened its function to include advocacy on behalf of the banking industry and championing financial sector development through strategic projects such as the launch of the industry’s first P2P digital payments platform PesaLink. In line with the Government’s policy on public-private partnerships, KBA and Central Bank of Kenya have implemented key projects such as modernization of the National Payments System through the Automated Clearing House, implementing the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), and the Kenya Credit Information Sharing Initiative. The KBA members are comprised of commercial banks and deposit taking microfinance banks.
About FSD Kenya
The Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSD Kenya) was established in 2005 to support the development of inclusive financial markets in Kenya. Our aim is to help realise an inclusive financial system that supports Kenya’s long-term economic development goals. We work closely with Government, the financial services industry, and other partners across key economic and social sectors. FSD Kenya operates as an independent trust under the supervision of professional trustees, KPMG Kenya, with policy guidance from a Programme Investment Committee (PIC). Our core development partners are currently the UKAid’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Organisation (FCDO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
About Deaf eLimu Plus
Deaf eLimu Plus is a Deaf-owned start-up company that provides innovative educational products and tutorial services in sign languages.
Media Contacts:
Nuru Mugambi
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Email: Nmugambi@kba.co.ke
Phone: 0717023318
