PIDM took steps to ensure information about deposit insurance could be made more accessible for the blind.
Initiative supports greater inclusivity and access to financial education
IN its efforts to continue improving the lives of Malaysians across all communities, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) continues its collaboration with the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB) with the roll-out of financial literacy modules for the blind in August.
The initiative supports greater inclusivity and access to financial education for the blind community in Malaysia, who have more difficulty accessing such materials compared to abled persons.
“As a government authority responsible for protecting the people’s hard-earned money in our member banks, we recognise that depositors live in different circumstances including visual impairment,” said PIDM executive vice president Wan Ahmad Ikram Wan Ahmd Lotfi.
“The blind are equally important members of the overall financial ecosystem and must be empowered with the necessary knowledge to improve their financial health and resilience.”
PIDM supports greater inclusivity and access to financial education for the blind community in Malaysia.
Wan Ahmad Ikram added that PIDM has also taken steps to ensure that information about deposit insurance could be made more accessible for the blind.
PIDM’s website was revamped earlier this year to include accessibility features to accommodate people with visual impairments.
“We are honoured to be collaborating with PIDM to bring financial literacy to the blind community,” said MAB chief executive officer George Thomas.
“It is MAB’s vision for the blind and visually impaired to be equipped with knowledge that can help them to manage their own finances and livelihoods.”
The financial literacy modules are provided as part of the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia training at MAB and will be available in Braille and audio CD format.
The modules cover topics on financial planning, budgeting, debt management, banking and insurance products, as well as incorporate information on PIDM’s protection systems and financial scams.
The CDs will be distributed to MAB students and members, as well as schools and libraries with integrated facilities for the blind. Members of the blind community who are not registered with MAB may also request to receive a CD copy from MAB.
PIDM has been supporting the blind through MAB since 2020, which kicked off with PIDM contributing 1,000 stay-safe kits to MAB to distribute to the blind and help them stay safe during the pandemic.
The financial literacy modules are part of the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia training at MAB.
Last year, PIDM sponsored 10 units of the Perkins Brailler mechanical braille writer for blind students pursuing literacy and communications classes, in addition to sponsoring 2,000 packed meals for vaccination recipients and frontliners and 170 food baskets for families of the blind.
PIDM is also currently running its second #SediaPayungKewangan financial resilience campaign from now until Sept 30.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the campaign’s digital and on-ground activations to learn how they can improve their financial resilience.
The campaign microsite is at www.pidm.gov.my/SPK.
