Opportunity International Australia has been recognised as a leader in inclusive finance for nearly 50 years, pioneering innovative approaches that empower people living in poverty — especially marginalised women, people with disability, and other excluded minorities— to transform their lives. We believe that inclusion is not just a principle, but it’s a practice.

To support our commitment to inclusive finance and disability inclusion, we have compiled a suite of practical tools designed to foster respectful communication, accessible environments, and shared understanding across our partnerships, social impact investment, and inclusive finance programs. These resources (available to download below) are tailored to help staff, consultants, and Financial Service Providers (FSPs) embed inclusion into everyday operations, ensuring that no one is left behind.

1. Inclusive Language Dos and Don’ts Cheat Sheet

This guide promotes respectful, person-first language when referring to people with disability and other marginalised groups. It helps users avoid stigmatising or dehumanising terms, encourages asking individuals their preferred terminology, and offers clear examples across contexts such as disability, poverty, and gender-neutral job titles. Updated annually, it also includes resources for further learning.

2. Inclusive Finance Accessible Meetings and Training Cheat Sheet

Designed to support inclusive finance efforts, this tool provides actionable steps for hosting accessible meetings and trainings—both in-person and virtual. It covers everything from inclusive invitations and accessibility supports to facilitation techniques and follow-up engagement, ensuring full participation and alignment with global human rights standards.

3. Inclusive Finance Acronyms and Glossary Cheat Sheet

This glossary fosters shared understanding by defining key terms and acronyms related to inclusive finance, disability inclusion, and gender equity. It distinguishes between similar concepts (e.g., financial inclusion vs. inclusive finance) and promotes strengths-based, respectful language. Ideal for onboarding and cross-sectoral collaboration, it is updated annually and includes links to additional resources.

4. Using the Washington Group Short Set (WGSS) in Inclusive Finance Cheat Sheet

A practical guide that helps FSPs identify and support clients with disabilities by using WGSS data ethically to design inclusive products, monitor equity, and advance GEDSI and ESG goals—illustrated through successful case studies from Indonesia and Uganda.

5. Inclusive Finance Cheat Sheet – Intersectional Data & Analysis

This cheat sheet outlines how to apply intersectional data and analysis in inclusive finance by considering overlapping identity factors (such as gender, disability, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and geography) to identify barriers, guide inclusive strategies, and support ethical, community-driven financial inclusion.

6. FSP (Financial Service Provider) Accessibility Assessment Form

This form enables Financial Service Providers to evaluate the physical, digital, and service accessibility of their branches for people with disability. It includes sections on infrastructure, communication, staff training, and cost estimation for improvements, as well as identifying local Organisations of People with Disability (OPDs) for collaboration.

7. Workplace Accessibility Needs Assessment Form

Aimed at creating inclusive work environments, this form helps identify and address the accessibility needs of employees with disability. It covers personal and job-related information, self-reported challenges, accommodation requests, and safety concerns. HR personnel use the form to recommend adjustments, with employee consent ensuring respectful and confidential support.

Together, these tools reflect Opportunity’s ongoing commitment to inclusive practices, equitable access, and continuous learning. They are living documents—updated regularly to reflect evolving standards and feedback—and are designed to empower all stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

A spotlight on inclusive finance and accessibility

As financial providers make adjustments to promote better financial inclusion, accessibility remains a critical yet often overlooked pillar. Opportunity International Australia's latest webinar, Spotlight on Building Accessible and Inclusive Financial Services, brings together voices from Indonesia, Uganda, the UK and Australia to explore how inclusive finance can better serve women and people with disability — groups who face compounded barriers to economic participation.

Featuring insights from KOMIDA, Opportunity Bank Uganda, and Opportunity International Australia's gender and disability inclusion specialist, Fifi Rashando, the session dives into practical strategies for inclusive product design, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Whether you're a financial service provider, impact investor, or development practitioner, this conversation offers valuable tools and real-world examples to help ensure no one is left behind.

This disability inclusion initiative, in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Aid & Trade Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) Program, delivered in collaboration with MicroSave and KOMIDA, was recently featured in The Jakarta Post, Indonesia’s leading English-language newspaper.

The article, titled How can inclusion work if it leaves people out?, highlights the critical importance of inclusive financial services and the need to ensure that people with disability are not excluded from the digitalisation of financial systems. It reflects our shared commitment to promoting accessibility, dignity, and equity in the financial sector, and marks a meaningful step forward in advancing our advocacy efforts.