IIIT-Bangalore Hosts 3rd National Conference of VIBEWA

BENGALURU:
The 3rd National Conference of Visually Impaired Bank Employees Welfare Association (VIBEWA) was successfully held at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore). The conference, themed “Inclusive Banking for the Divyangjan Bank Employees,” brought together over 250 participants from across India, including employees with visual, hearing, locomotor and multiple disabilities representing Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Regional Rural 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 sector. IIIT-Bangalore played a pivotal role in the success of the conference by providing its state-of-the-art accessible auditorium, on-site technical support, and a dedicated team of student volunteers. Through this comprehensive support, IIIT-Bangalore and its Centre for Accessibility in the Global South (CAGS) demonstrated its ongoing strong institutional commitment to disability inclusion.

The conference was presided over by Rajesh Asudani, President, VIBEWA. Das Suryavanshi, Karnataka State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities present as the Chief Guest underscored the importance of compliance and grievance redressal mechanisms. Praveen Kumar Ambashta, Deputy Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), Government of India, addressed the gathering virtually, stressing effective implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016.

T. K. Venugopal, Chief General Manager, Canara Bank, Chief Guest of the occasion. emphasised institutional responsibility in promoting inclusive systems. Dr. Nikita V. Raut, Deputy General Manager, Bank of Baroda, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour and highlighted structured support for career growth of employees with disabilities.

The address by the General secretary VIBEWA Himanshu Sahu included an audio-visual presentation showcasing VIBEWA’s journey since its formation in 2014. VIBEWA’s nationwide advocacy initiatives include the recent report on the working conditions of the visually impaired bank employees based on the nationwide online survey and presented to the Central Government.

Representatives from Union Bank of India shared insights on digital accessibility initiatives under Union Access, demonstrating how accessible banking platforms and assistive technology enablement can enhance independence and productivity of employees with disabilities.

The session on Accessibility, Training and Capacity Building featured a multi-stakeholder panel discussion that explored digital accessibility of banking systems, structured training models, deployment of assistive technologies, and innovative workplace solutions to enhance productivity of employees with disabilities. The session on Productivity and Work Practices examined job suitability, reasonable accommodation, accessible digital platforms, and practical workarounds that enable employees with disabilities to perform efficiently across various banking roles and cadres. The Rights, Welfare and Advocacy session deliberated on issues relating to transfers, promotions, special conveyance allowance, special casual leave, and the use of statutory mechanisms such as the office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and judicial remedies to safeguard rights; Shri Rahul Bajaj from Mission Accessibility joined virtually and shared legal perspectives on strengthening advocacy and enforcement pathways.

On the second day, the Leadership Session focused on building leadership capacity among employees with disabilities and encouraging the formation of bank-level associations for structured representation and collective dialogue. The conference concluded with the General Body Meeting, during which reports were presented, resolutions were adopted, and the roadmap for future advocacy and institutional engagement was finalised.

A significant announcement during the conference was the transition of VIBEWA towards a broader and more inclusive identity as DIBEWA (Divyang Bank Employees Welfare Association), expanding its representation to employees across all categories of disabilities.

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, inclusive, and equitable banking ecosystem in India.