Post date: Nov 20, 2013 2:24:58 PM
The Palestine Islamic Bank provides direct transactions for the deaf with specialist tellers using sign language.
HEBRON, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 6, 2013) (REUTERS) - Deaf Palestinians used to need a mediator at the bank to withdraw or deposit money, or even receive their monthly salary. Not any more. The Palestine Islamic Bank has initiated a signing service for its deaf customers.
Around 50 of the bank's employees have been trained by Al-Amal Association for the Deaf, to use sign language at branches in the West Bank and Gaza.''It's easy to work with them, and it's normal, there aren't any problems. And as long as we continue to work with them, it will get easier and easier,''
said Salem Saeed, bank teller.
Bayan Qassem, Regional Director of the Palestine Islamic Bank, said that service which was launched in June, will increase banking awareness among the disabled.
''The idea came from the employees here in the bank, from the difficulties that they were facing. It was hard for employees to communicate with people who are deaf and mute, so the young people in the bank and public relations department started working towards this idea, and some people were trained in sign language and are able to work with these members of the community, without a translator,'' Qassem told Reuters Television.
The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) has authorised that the Islamic bank is equipped to receive deaf customers.
Aziz Hamad, Director of the Gaza branch, said all of the bank's 15 branches across the West Bankand Gaza had updated their policies for helping people with special needs access banking.
"We trained our employees, three employees from each branch to serve people. We launched the project a couple of months ago in a video conference with the West Bank and Gaza, in a ceremony hosting the Palestine Monetary Authority," he explained.
According to Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of disabled people in thePalestinian territories totals 113,000, with five deaf in every 1000 and around 5000 deaf in Gazaalone.
The Palestine Islamic Bank intends to launch a new service for people with visual disabilities. Blind people will be able to use Braille machines to allow them to deposit and withdraw money.