Saturday, 30 June 2012 00:00

IN accordance with its Diversity and Inclusion mantra, Standard Chartered Bank has launched its partnership with The Children's Developmental Centre (CDC) with a workshop titled 'Finding Normal'.

The theme of the workshop was: "In order to understand the world of people with disabilities we must enter their normal world" It highlighted how the bank and its employees can take part in creating an enabling work environment for people with special needs.

The Head, Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank. Nigeria, Diran Olojo, said "Standard Chartered takes a progressive approach to diversity andinclusion m the work place. We employ people based on merit, regardless of age, physical ability or disability, gender or ethnicity. Through this partnership with CDC and the workshop, we were able to understand some of the challenges people living with disabilities face on a daily basis."

"The bank appoints trains, develops, rewards and promotes employees on the basis of merit and ability. The Group places great value in diversity and strives to ensure its approach to recruitment attracts candidates with disabilities through appropriate events, marketing and inclusive processes.

To accommodate disabled applicants and staff with disabilities, the bank will also provide the necessary tools and equipment to support   employees with disabilities perform their roles sufficiently, he added.

Olojo, said that awareness amongst staff has a vital role to play in the inclusion of all employees and customers.

"The bank works to raise awareness and promote inclusive behaviours throughout the network, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the organisation. Standard Chartered is nere for good brand promise signifying commitment to people, customers and the communities in which it operates.

As such it aims to provide an inclusive and accessible environment for all employees and customers by proactively identifying and monitoring progress to accommodate and serve all persons with disabilities," he said. He added, "Standard Chartered has a council of Country D&I Champions to ensure that its approach is relevant and consistent with global principles. In addition, the bank consults with external organizations that represent people with disabilities in order to work towards best in class services and facilities.

Conducting research around the requirements and preferences of customers with disabilities allows us to understand better how we can meet different needs."

The CDC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to children ana young adults with special needs, providing a broad range of services ranging from Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Therapy and Hydrotherapy.

The partnership between D&I and the CDC aims at sensitizing staff and customers and at changing their mindset and perception on people living with disabilities.