Westpac’s Post

Exciting news alert - please share widely! The Barrier-Free Finance Initiative launches today! Did you know? About 16% of the global population are people with disabilities, but many of them are excluded from economic opportunities because they face barriers to accessing financial services, including discrimination and a lack of physical and virtual accessibility. We are launching the Barrier-Free Finance Initiative to engage disability and inclusive finance actors in creating disability inclusive financial ecosystems. Our interventions incorporate advocacy and awareness raising, research and intelligence, and technical support. Visit: https://lnkd.in/gX_7_NPt and start unlocking opportunities for people with disabilities as part of your social inclusion strategies. #LeaveNoOneBehind #agenda2030 #disability #DisabilityInclusion #inclusivefinance #FinancialInclusion #ESG #impactinvesting #SDGs #GESI #Intersectionality #Sustainability #socialinclusion

Well done BOI a good initiative.

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are renowned for their social impact and financial inclusion efforts. Within these groups, members, led by a President and Vice President, come together despite diverse literacy levels—from basic education to illiteracy—ages ranging from the elderly to young women, and various castes. What truly matters is their unity during SHG meetings, where they collaborate without discrimination. They handle their own record-keeping and collectively decide how to allocate funds, demonstrating the strength of community and cooperation. #Empowerment #FinancialInclusion #SelfHelpGroups #UnityInDiversity #WomenEmpowerment

The phrase "Money cannot buy diversity and inclusion (D&I)" profoundly captures the essence of true inclusivity within an organization. While financial investments can support initiatives, training programs, and diversity hiring efforts, they alone cannot forge a genuinely inclusive culture or tackle deep-seated systemic issues. Achieving real progress in D&I demands unwavering commitment, continuous effort, and authentic changes in attitudes, policies, and practices. It means creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully, a goal that cannot simply be purchased but must be nurtured and sustained over time. This is a cause I am fiercely passionate about, and it is why I have dedicated my life to advancing D&I. I make no apologies for my commitment to this cause, as the relationships I have built in the industry affirm its critical importance. When we established Openbook, our vision was clear: to enhance visibility and drive transformative change. We set out to bridge the gap between the disabled and non-disabled communities, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. As someone with a disability, I have always aspired to create a space where the non-disabled world feels comfortable and engaged. Our mission at Openbook is to champion inclusion by showcasing the strengths and contributions of diverse individuals, thereby breaking down the barriers of prejudice and misconception. We believe that true diversity is not just about numbers or quotas; it is about fostering a culture of genuine inclusion where every voice is heard and valued. Our journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. Each step forward has reinforced our belief that while money can provide the tools, the true essence of D&I comes from heartfelt commitment and relentless effort. The impact we have seen, the lives we have touched, and the communities we have brought together affirm that we are on the right path. Our work is far from over, but every day, we move closer to a world where diversity and inclusion are not just goals but lived realities. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming later this week. #DiversityAndInclusion #DI #InclusiveCulture #SystemicChange #MutualRespect #BreakingBarriers #DisabilityInclusion #TransformativeChange #DiversityMatters #HeartfeltCommitment #Empowerment #ChampioningInclusion #Openbook #LivedRealities Follow Open Book - Disability Awareness ID Me leading a panel discussion on inclusion with Ellie Jake Baker-Cliff his twin sister Daisy, and Javeno Mclean We’re all engaged, sharing unique perspectives on the importance of inclusion in today’s society,

A day late but never a dollar short! Yesterday, August 14th, was National ABLE Savings Day. While still underutilized, ABLE accounts are a valuable financial savings tool for those with a disability. While we are a day late in this acknowledgement, EVERY DAY is a great day to spread the word! Let's celebrate the power of ABLE accounts in helping individuals with disabilities achieve financial independence, community inclusion, and a brighter future! Visit ABLE National Resource Center for more information. #ABLE #ABLEaccount #FinancialIndependence #disabilityinclusion

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of speaking at the 2024 Inclusion Capital Summit, hosted by Impact Ventures, where I discussed Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. As an entrepreneur with a disability, it was important to share this resource, which was developed by the National Disability Institute (NDI). Here’s why ABLE accounts are so valuable: 📌 Save without losing benefits: Save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI and maintain eligibility for Medicaid and housing assistance. 📌 Tax-free growth: Investment growth in ABLE accounts is tax-free. 📌 Additional contributions: Employed individuals without a retirement plan can contribute up to an additional $14,580 annually. 📌 Flexibility in usage: Funds can be used for education, housing, transportation, assistive technology, healthcare, and more. I’ve had the privilege of working on several projects with NDI and fully support their mission to promote financial wellness and inclusion for people with disabilities. I will continue spreading the word and do all I can to support the National Disability Institute in their efforts to provide financial literacy to all persons with disabilities. Explore these resources at NDI and help spread awareness WITH me! #FinancialInclusion #DisabilityAdvocacy #ABLEaccounts #ImpactVentures #Inclusion

For me, wealth isn't just about the abundance of resources, it's about the abundance of opportunities it can create. Not just for me, but also for my family and others in the community. A rising tide lifts all ships. It's why Ethical Property Investments believes in using wealth to create pathways that uplift and empower entire communities. Investing in accessible and inclusive housing, and helping others #dogoodmakemoney, sees us build portfolios, and homes for people with disabilities.

Pioneering Initiative Launches to Accelerate Disability Inclusion in Fintech Joanne Dewar, Project Nemo lead, says: “What started as isolated conversations a year ago have rapidly gathered momentum and, in just a few short months we are launching at IFGS. I have long held the mantle on equity and inclusion in fintech and yet I have never received such unequivocal support and personal resonance around one issue – disability inclusion. It is a massive missed opportunity for fintech. “Fintech thinks of itself as the future of financial services, and we have made great strides in streamlining, broadening reach and lowering costs. But if we ever want to truly achieve mainstream adoption beyond the digital natives, we need to ensure that our workplaces, all of our products and services fully consider accessibility.” https://lnkd.in/en2Qbb7J Mary Elliott Janine Hirt Fintech Week London FinTech North European Women Payments Network (EWPN) Money20/20 Innovate Finance The Payments Association Fintech Fringe #fintech #finance #banking #paytech #payments #fintechnews #paymentsnews

NDIS—a noble endeavor, indeed, wrapped in the noblest of intentions: human rights & social equity. Yet here we find it in the tight embrace of the Productivity Commission, with its steadfast gaze fixed on economic rationalism. Can we really balance cold, hard economics with the warm, beating heart of human rights? Let's take a dive into this delightful dichotomy, shall we? Human Rights vs. The Almighty Dollar: Here we stand, at the crossroads of humanity & efficiency. #NDIS is rooted in the idea that every individual deserves to thrive, not just survive. Yet, along comes the #Productivity Commission with its calculator & spreadsheets, preaching the gospel of cost-effectiveness. Must the right to a dignified life be justified by a cost-benefit analysis? Is a person’s value determined by their #economic output or their ability to buy into market-driven solutions? The Mirage of #Choice & Control: The NDIS promises choice & control, a veritable buffet of services at the fingertips of those it serves. But what happens when the market, that supposed savior of efficiency, decides that some choices are more profitable than others? What if the #market looks at a remote rural area & sees not people, but logistical nightmares & thin margins? Does economic rationalism then dictate that choice is merely a luxury item, available only to those in the right zip code? Revisiting Values—A Call for a Human Rights Audit: It’s time to sift through the layers of economic jargon & ask: Are we prioritizing ledger entries over legacies of inclusivity? The NDIS needs a values audit, a serious sit-down with itself to remember its core mission. This isn't just about aligning numbers; it's about aligning with principles that recognize the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their economic 'utility'. Inclusive Policymaking—Nothing About Us Without Us: To realign with its humanistic roots, the NDIS must do more than pay lip service to stakeholder engagement. It means giving a genuine seat at the table to those who live the reality of disability every day. Not as token participants, but as powerful voices shaping policy. After all, who better to navigate the needs of the disabled than those who navigate these challenges themselves? Humanity at the Helm: Let's weave human rights back into the fabric of NDIS, treating economic advice as just that—advice, not doctrine. It’s about constructing a scheme that sees people as more than potential profit centers or economic burdens. In the grand scheme, it’s a balancing act, isn't it? On one scale, you have economic rationalism, weighing down with its heavy logic of numbers & efficiency. On the other, the weightless, yet profound, principles of human dignity & rights. The task ahead? To ensure that in this balancing act, we don’t just balance books, but also balance lives. Now, wouldn’t that be something to behold? https://lnkd.in/ezfkJPzR

It was a pleasure to be part of a panel discussion on Disability Inclusion: How Does Including Disability Affect the SMEs Ecosystems? at the Annual Investment Meeting Conference 2024.