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An adult learning perspective on disability and microfinance: The case of Katureebe

NUWAGABA, Ephraim L
RULE, Peter N
2016

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Background: Despite Uganda’s progress in promoting affirmative action for persons with disabilities and its strategy of using microfinance to fight poverty, access to microfinance services by persons with disabilities is still problematic due to barriers, characterised by discrepancies between policies and practices. Regarding education, the affirmative action in favour of learners with disabilities has not translated into actual learning opportunities due to personal and environmental barriers.


Objectives: The study on which this article is based investigated the non-formal and informal adult learning practices regarding microfinance that persons with disabilities engaged in. This article seeks to illuminate the barriers that a person with a visual impairment encountered while learning about and engaging with microfinance and the strategies that he developed to overcome them.


Methods: This was a case study, framed within the social model of disability and critical research paradigm. Data were collected through in-depth interviews of a person with visual impairment and observations of the environment in which adult learning and engagement with Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) occurred.


Results: Findings indicate that the person with a visual disability faced barriers to learning about microfinance services. He experienced barriers in an integrated manner and developed strategies to overcome these barriers. The barriers and strategies are theorised using the social model of disability.


Conclusion: The case of a person with visual impairment suggests that persons with disabilities face multiple barriers regarding microfinance, including social, psychological and educational. However, his own agency and attitudes were also of importance as they influenced his learning. Viewing these barriers as blockades can lead to non-participation in learning and engagement with microfinance whereas viewing them as surmountable hurdles can potentially motivate participants to succeed in learning about and engaging with microfinance.

Access to mainstream microfinance services for persons with disabilities : lessons learned from Uganda

BWIRE, Flavia Nakabuye
MUKASA, George
MERSLAND, Roy
2009

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This article reports from a pilot project in Uganda where the aim is to enable persons with disabilities to have access to mainstream microfinance services. Several lessons have already been learned: 1) entrepreneurs with disabilities are an untapped market opportunity for Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs); 2) to influence MFIs it is important to understand their business model and team up with key actors from the industry; 3) persons with disabilities are often misinformed about MFIs' terms and services and don't know how to tap these opportunities. Gradually a change in attitudes in MFIs and Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) is observed. All MFIs participating in the project now report an increase in the number of clients with disabilities served. This is happening without the use of any economic incentives.

Glossary of Microfinance Terms|Glossaire bilingue des termes de la microfinance

GRET
CENTRE DE CCOPERATION INTERNATIONALE EN RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT (CIRAD)
January 2007

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The glossary provides the English and French equivalents for more than 1,500 terms related to microfinance, with some definitions in French . The main areas covered are technical accounting / management, finance and audit terms tailored to microfinance institutions, as well as the impact of microfinance services. It would be useful for microfinance practitioners

Graduating the poorest into microfinance : linking safety nets and financial services

HASHEMI, Syed
ROSENBERG, Richard
February 2006

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This note presents general microfinance information and explores issues surrounding the debate about whether or not microfinance actually reaches the poorest at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale. Links between safety net programmes and microfinance programmes are highlighted through case studies. This note is useful for people interested in microfinance issues in developing countries

DFID and the private sector : working with the private sector to eliminate poverty

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID)
December 2005

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Strong economic growth is key to the elimination of poverty. DFID considers that it has a clear priority in helping developing countries create the conditions which can nurture and sustain economic growth - and the development of the private sector is central to this because it is a major provider of essential services to poor people in developing countries

Managing scaling up challenges of a program for the poorest : case study of BRAC's IGVGD program | Scaling up poverty reduction : case studies in microfinance

MATIN, Imran
May 2004

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This chapter looks at the Income Generation for Vulnerable Group Development (IGVGD) programme, initiated by BRAC, a large microfinance NGO. The programme aims to target poverty alleviation through strategic linkages between grant-based and market-based microfinance programmes. The IGVD programme is described and planning, management and issues of scaling up are discussed. Tables and graphs are provided to enhance understanding. This document is useful for people interested in microfinance programmes

Key principles of microfinance

CONSULTATIVE GROUP TO ASSIST THE POOR (CGAP)
2004

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This factsheet describes eleven key principles of micro finance. It is a user-friendly document that would be helpful for people interested in general information about micro finance

Supporting women’s livelihoods : microfinance that works for the majority|A guide to best practices

BURJORJEE, Deena M
DESHPANDE, Rani
WEIDEMANN, C Jean
January 2002

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This guide presents practical information about the role of microfinance in funding women's livelihood activities, as well as the benefit to family units. The guide is organised into six topic-related parts, highlighting case studies and key points. It would be useful for donors and practitioners who are interested in microfinance programmes for women

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