Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has set a new standard for financial inclusivity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the launch of its groundbreaking screen reader service within its mobile banking app. This innovative move underscores the significant potential of Islamic finance to promote financial inclusion, as SIB leads the charge in providing accessible financial services for individuals with visual disabilities.

The catalyst for this pioneering step was a heartfelt complaint from a visually impaired customer who encountered challenges while using the bank's mobile app. In response, SIB took proactive measures by engaging in a series of meetings and consultations with individuals who have visual disabilities. These efforts were aimed at developing comprehensive solutions that empower this community to independently manage their finances.

Waleed AlAmoudi, Head of Digital Banking at Sharjah Islamic Bank, expressed the institution's unwavering commitment to inclusivity. He stated,

We anticipate its success as it is the first of its kind in the UAE to address the needs of this important sector in society.

To ensure seamless functionality, the screen reader service underwent rigorous testing in collaboration with visually impaired individuals. It now enables customers with visual impairments to perform various transactions, including checking balances and making money transfers, all while safeguarding user privacy and security.

The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) commended SIB's pioneering efforts, emphasizing the service's role in enhancing the independence of people with visual disabilities. Professor Dalia Abdel Moneim, a visual disability specialist at the city's Early Intervention Center, lauded SIB's dedication to providing top-tier services to people with disabilities.

It is important to note that SIB's commitment to inclusivity is not a recent development. Over the years, the bank has introduced various services tailored to individuals with disabilities, including ATMs designed for those with visual and mobility impairments. These initiatives underscore the bank's unwavering support for inclusivity and its dedication to fostering a more accessible and digitally advanced UAE.

Moreover, Sharjah Islamic Bank has a history of pioneering cutting-edge quality banking services. In 2008, it introduced the first ATM of its kind in the Middle East, designed for wheelchair users with mobility disabilities at Al Thiqah Club for Disabled. Building upon this legacy, in 2012, SIB launched the first ATM in the Middle East specifically designed for people with visual disabilities at the Emirates Association of the Visually Impaired in Sharjah. In 2018, SIB introduced the first ATM in the Middle East catering to both wheelchair users with mobility disabilities and the visually impaired, located at the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. In 2019, a similar initiative was launched at the General Directorate of Residency & Foreign Affairs in Dubai.

Sharjah Islamic Bank's groundbreaking screen reader service serves as a remarkable testament to the institution's unwavering dedication to promoting inclusivity and financial accessibility. By removing barriers and championing digital accessibility, SIB is forging a path toward a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape in the UAE. This historic initiative serves as a beacon of hope, exemplifying that inclusivity in finance is not only achievable but also a moral imperative in today's world. It underscores how financial institutions can take the lead in creating a more accessible and equitable financial future for all, while advancing the transformative power of Islamic finance in promoting financial inclusion.

IF NEWS