Hellen Asamo, the minister of state for Disability affairs, has called for special Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for people with disabilities (PWDs).

The minister said this would improve financial inclusion for some categories of PWDs, including small people who are often at a disadvantage when it comes to using the standard ATMs at banks.

She said sometimes such people have to entrust their ATM cards with strangers at the ATM, who sometimes end up cheating them.

“The people with short stature require the government to promote innovations that make adjustments for reasonable accommodation for them. For instance, there is a need for the Ministry of Finance to ensure that financial systems are advanced to have a second ATM machine at a lower height. This would cater for persons with short stature who keep complaining of inaccessibility to banking services,” she said.

She said there is also a need for adjustments in the height of some toilets in public places to accommodate people with short stature.

She was speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities next week.

On October 14, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This day is used to create awareness of the importance of promoting quality and full participation of PWDs in social, political and economic spheres.

In Uganda, this day will be celebrated in Mbarara under the theme: “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.”