Disability, privacy, and dignity in care settings

Disability - Preserving Privacy & Dignity

Banking is an activity that every adult uses on a regular basis. The able-bodied seldom think of this as something beyond a monthly necessity. While it may be tedious, it is hardly something that takes a large amount of thinking or planning in terms of accessibility and schedule. This is however very different for a customer with a learning disability.

Taking into account human rights issues and legislation relating to equal rights regardless of disability or other differences among individuals. It is therefore the obligation of the banking manager to ensure that all customers can perform their banking activities with the optimum of ease and comfort. This pertains particularly to learning disabled persons, who need extra care and attention without any loss to their dignity or self-esteem.

The most important part of implementing programs to help such persons is that the bank manager needs to be aware of the specific needs and requirements of this sector of society. Information can be obtained in a variety of ways. Several agencies and charities make information sources available, both via the Internet and in hard-copy sources. Many books are also available on the subject. The bank manager is also obliged to familiarize himself with legislation regarding the disability issue. There are therefore many research opportunities available to provide the bank manager with information and ideas of the adjustments needed to optimize the comfort of all clients.

Specifically, the manager will need to understand that learning disability often means difficulty in interpreting visual and auditory material, or linking information from different areas of the brain. Persons using banking services will therefore need special assistance with tasks such as filling out banking slips or other transaction forms, and understanding spoken requests from bank personnel. Services should therefore be incorporated to meet these needs.

Because privacy and dignity are highly prized for the very public environment of the bank, a discreet way of implementing such services is needed. One solution is to employ a trained banking host, who will assess the needs of each client. These do not refer only to disability assistance, but also to everyday banking activities such as making deposits, investing, withdrawals and the like. The banking host can then be stationed close to the entrance of the bank, with a prominent sign to the effect of "banking assistance" or something in the same vein. Persons with learning disabilities can then, without any loss to dignity or privacy, ask the banking host for help in performing their transactions. The banking host is available to all clients, not only to those with disabilities, and therefore there need be no element of self-consciousness when persons with special needs approach him or her for assistance.

If these persons have any problems with completing their transactions, they can also be referred back to the banking host, who can assist them further as needed. Further facilities can be implemented in the form of trained personnel to assist persons with learning disabilities. The banking host can then direct persons with particular needs to such personnel without any loss of dignity or privacy.