BANDUNG — Efforts to provide more accessible banking services for people with disabilities continue to strengthen. The Financial Services Authority of West Java trained dozens of bank frontliners in Indonesian Sign Language as a step to promote inclusive and equal financial access for all.
A total of 38 frontliners from 31 banks in Bandung City officially completed the Indonesian Sign Language Training organized by the Financial Services Authority of West Java. The event was held in conjunction with the Kick Off of the 2026 Financial Literacy Month at Bandung Creative Hub on Monday (18/5/2026).
The training closing was attended by the Head of the Financial Services Authority of West Java Province, Darwisman, and the Head of Economy of Bandung City, Dicky Wishnumulya Ristandi, representing the Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, along with several senior officials from banking institutions in Bandung.
Darwisman stated that financial inclusion is now mandatory for all financial service institutions. This requirement is regulated in Financial Services Authority Regulation Number 22 of 2023 concerning equal access for consumers with disabilities.
“This is no longer just a recommendation, but an obligation. Financial service companies must integrate inclusion into their core policies,” he emphasized.
Darwisman explained the concept of inclusive service called “SETARA,” which stands for Equal, Empathetic, Responsive, Safe, Friendly, and Accessible. Its implementation includes providing disability-friendly physical infrastructure, inclusive digital services, increasing staff sensitivity, and making documents easily accessible, including in Braille and audio formats.
The training program is part of the “DIA KITA” initiative, which stands for Empowered Disabilities and Inclusive Finance Created, launched by the Financial Services Authority of West Java with partners, including DILANS Indonesia. The program aims to improve financial literacy and access for people with disabilities.
In addition to training, the DIA KITA program also offers ongoing financial education, accessible educational media, and business matching to support the economic independence of people with disabilities through small and medium enterprises.
During the event, Darwisman also highlighted the importance of financial literacy amid the rise of digital fraud and illegal online loans. He noted that West Java recorded over 4,800 complaints related to illegal investments and loans, the highest nationally.
“Don’t be easily tempted by big profits without risk. That is definitely a scam. Financial literacy is the main defense for the community,” he said.
The President of DILANS Indonesia, Farhan Helmy, viewed the activity as a concrete step toward an inclusive city. According to him, Bandung City is among the progressive regions in promoting equality for people with disabilities and the elderly.
“This is not just a ceremony, but a real movement to ensure that people with disabilities become equal subjects of development,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of accessible public facilities, policy integration, and active involvement of people with disabilities in various sectors, including economics and finance.
Meanwhile, the Head of Economy of Bandung City, Dicky Wishnumulya Ristandi, expressed appreciation for the collaboration among various parties in providing inclusive financial services for people with disabilities.
“On behalf of the Bandung City Government, we extend our highest appreciation to the Financial Services Authority of West Java, DILANS Indonesia, the banking industry, and all parties who have collaborated through this program,” he said.
Dicky emphasized that city development is not only measured by economic growth, but also by how much equal access and fairness can be felt by all residents. According to him, humane public services are an important indicator of a city’s progress.
He considered the training for bank frontliners to have strategic significance. As the frontline of service, the ability to communicate using sign language is seen as capable of creating more friendly and equal services for customers with disabilities.
“When bank staff can serve using Indonesian Sign Language, what is built is not just a transaction, but also a sense of being valued, accepted, and having an equal place in social and economic life,” he said.
In addition to services, Dicky also highlighted opportunities for employing people with disabilities. He reminded that the government sector is required to employ at least 2 percent of its workforce from
