Advancing Financial Inclusion for Persons With Disabilities in Indonesia: Evidence From Yogyakarta Special Region

Abstract

This study analyses the factors that support or hinder financial inclusion for persons with disabilities (PWD), using the Yogyakarta Special Region as a case study. This study uses a qualitative approach, with semi-structured interviews grounded in the framework of facilitators and barriers, to explore financial inclusion for PWD in the Yogyakarta Special Region. Snowball sampling was used to recruit four informants, comprising two people who were blind or partially sighted and two people with physical disabilities. Data collection involved interviews with informants, banking representatives, and disability experts. Facilitators include cooperatives offering door-to-door services, accessible banking facilities such as ramps and trained staff, and digital innovations like mobile banking, which reduce physical barriers. However, barriers persist, including stigma, misperceptions, and inadequate physical and digital infrastructure. Many banks lack accessible ATMs or audio-guided mobile platforms, hindering the usability of services for blind and partially sighted people. Additionally, distance to branches and insufficient accommodations exacerbate exclusion. To address these challenges, the study proposes strategies such as strengthening disability-focused financial literacy, expanding accessible banking infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between banks and cooperatives. Indicators of financial inclusion for PWD—account ownership, credit access, digital banking usage, and customer satisfaction—are highlighted as tools for assessing progress and identifying areas for improvement.