MUSCAT : Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Bank Muscat participated recently in the event the Ministry of Social Development organized on this occasion. Bank Muscat is keen to support persons with disabilities through CSR programmes and initiatives in partnership with government institutions and NGOs. During the event, the Ministry of Social Development honored Bank Muscat for its constant support. The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sayyeda Dr. Mona bint Fahad bin Mahmoud Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University, where Afaf Ali Moosa, Assistant General Manager – Large Corporates, Bank Muscat, received the honor from Her Highness.

On this occasion, Afaf Ali Moosa, Assistant General Manager – Large Corporates, Bank Muscat, said: “We are proud of all the tremendous efforts that various government and private institutions, NGOs and individuals are keen to put for the development of services and facilities for persons with disabilities. The bank values its longstanding partnership and cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development to best serve the community. The bank pays great attention to activities, events and social responsibility programmes especially those targeted at developing facilities and services for persons with disabilities. This recognition of the bank’s efforts further motivates us to continue working on developing sustainable programmes that provide support to the community in general and ensure the welfare of persons with disabilities.”

In line with its commitment to deliver long-term benefits for the disabled and helping them integrate into mainstream society, the bank contributed this year a number of wheelchairs, including powered and non-powered versions, electric beds, laptops and BrailleSense devices to visually-impaired students, and hearing aids. Bank Muscat had earlier supported the construction of a playground at the Al Aman Rehabilitation Centre for children with severe disabilities, and is also at present helping provide a sports field at the Al Wafa Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities.

Bank Muscat has taken many measures for the inclusion of persons with disabilities into mainstream society. The bank’s efforts in this regard include the operation of a special ATM with a special transaction flow for blind and visually-impaired people. Also, special access ramps and other arrangements for easy access have been made available at different branches and ATMs in Oman. The bank has also trained a number of its branch employees in sign language to facilitate easy communication with the hearing impaired.

Every year, Bank Muscat continues its CSR and sustainability programmes and activities that serve various segments of society including the youth and children, people with disabilities, social welfare families, entrepreneurs, students and communities across the country. Apart from numerous one-off projects, the bank continues to run over 10 long-term CSR programmes. The bank’s CSR and sustainability programmes have been well appreciated by society, and it has been honored in the past by the Ministry of Social Development, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Fourth Oman Forum for Partnership and Social Responsibility for its efforts in this regard.