Dear List, We are pleased to share highlights from the 3rd National Conference of the Visually Impaired Bank Employees Welfare Association (VIBEWA), held on 14–15 February 2026 at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore). Themed “Inclusive Banking for the Divyangjan Bank Employees,” the conference brought together over 250 participants from across India, representing Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, RRBs, and financial institutions. The event was supported by IIIT-Bangalore, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Snehadeep Trust, reflecting strong collaboration between academia, civil society, and the banking ecosystem. The conference was presided over by Shri Rajesh Asudani, President, VIBEWA. Shri Das Suryavanshi, Karnataka State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, attended as Chief Guest and emphasised compliance and grievance redressal mechanisms. Shri Praveen Kumar Ambashta, Deputy Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), Government of India, addressed the gathering virtually, underscoring effective implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016. Shri T. K. Venugopal, Chief General Manager, Canara Bank, highlighted institutional responsibility in promoting inclusive systems. Dr. Nikita V. Raut, Deputy General Manager, Bank of Baroda, spoke about structured support for career progression of employees with disabilities. Shri Rahul Bajaj from Mission Accessibility joined virtually and shared legal perspectives on strengthening advocacy and enforcement pathways. Representatives from Union Bank of India shared insights on digital accessibility initiatives under Union Access, demonstrating accessible banking platforms, assistive technology enablement, and inclusive workplace practices that enhance independence and productivity of employees with disabilities.
Key sessions covered: • Accessibility, Training and Capacity Building • Productivity and Work Practices • Rights, Welfare and Advocacy • Leadership and Collective Representation A significant announcement during the conference was the transition of VIBEWA towards a broader identity as DIBEWA (Divyang Bank Employees Welfare Association), expanding representation to employees across all categories of disabilities. The conference was live broadcast, and recordings can be accessed through the VIBEWA YouTube channel. Members may explore the sessions and experience the deliberations here: https://www.youtube.com/@VIBEWA The conference concluded with a collective commitment to strengthen collaboration among banks, regulators, government authorities, academic institutions, and disability organisations to build a more accessible and equitable banking ecosystem in India. सादर / With thanks & Regards राजेश आसुदानी Rajesh Asudani सहायक महाप्रबन्धक AGM भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक Reserve Bank of India नागपुर Nagpur 0712 2806846 M.A, LL.M,M.Sc, CAIIB Recipient of President’s Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2020 President VIBEWA & DARE Sent from my iPhone -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/13FA0126-56CB-421D-8497-8B5F510773B4%40gmail.com.
