1. Our Commitment
The Social Investment Fund is committed to equal, dignified, and non-discriminatory access to SIFMIS services for persons with disabilities, older persons, rural users, low-literacy users, and people using assistive technologies or shared devices.
Accessibility is treated as part of programme quality, not an optional add-on. SIFMIS should support fair access to registration, application, verification, support delivery, loan routing, reporting, complaints, and public information.
2. Ghana Legal and Policy Basis
This accessibility statement is informed by Ghana's disability rights framework and public service obligations, including:
Where a SIFMIS service is delivered through a government office, implementing partner, financial institution, training venue, field site, or community activity, those service points should be planned and operated consistently with Ghana's accessibility requirements.
3. Digital Accessibility Measures
SIFMIS aims to follow recognised web accessibility practices, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) principles of perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content.
- Pages should use clear headings, labels, readable text, descriptive links, and meaningful page titles.
- Forms should include visible labels, helpful error messages, and keyboard-accessible controls.
- Important images should include useful alternative text, while decorative images should not distract assistive technologies.
- Colour should not be the only way important information is communicated.
- Text and controls should remain usable on mobile phones, low-bandwidth connections, and common browsers.
- Authentication, one-time password, document upload, and application workflows should avoid unnecessary time pressure where possible.
4. Accessible Beneficiary Services
Beneficiaries and applicants who cannot complete a digital process independently should be offered reasonable assistance through authorised channels, without loss of dignity, confidentiality, or eligibility.
- Field registration and partner-assisted onboarding should be available where programme rules allow it.
- Applicants should be able to request help with reading instructions, completing forms, uploading documents, or understanding application status.
- Programme notices and public guidance should use plain language and accessible formats where feasible.
- Disability-related information should be collected only where relevant, explained clearly, and protected carefully.
5. Built Environment and Physical Access
SIFMIS-supported service delivery should consider the accessibility of physical locations used for registration, training, verification, meetings, payment support, loan review, and complaint handling.
- Public service points should provide barrier-free access routes, ramps or level access where required, safe entrances, clear signage, and accessible waiting areas where practicable.
- Training venues, field activity sites, and partner offices should be selected with accessibility in mind.
- Queues, desks, meeting arrangements, and service procedures should accommodate wheelchair users, persons with visual or hearing impairments, and persons who need additional time or support.
- Accessibility concerns identified during programme delivery should be recorded and escalated for correction.
6. Duties of Implementing Partners and Institutions
Implementing partners, participating financial institutions, and authorised service providers using SIFMIS are expected to support accessible and non-discriminatory service delivery.
- Do not refuse or delay service because a person has a disability or needs reasonable support.
- Protect beneficiary dignity and confidentiality when providing assisted registration or application support.
- Use accessible venues and communication channels where possible.
- Report access barriers, inaccessible venues, or exclusion risks through SIFMIS reporting and support channels.
- Train relevant staff on disability inclusion, respectful communication, and lawful handling of beneficiary data.
7. Feedback and Assistance
Users can report an accessibility barrier, request assistance, or ask for information in an alternative format through official SIF contact channels.
When reporting a barrier, please include the page or service used, the device or browser, the assistive technology if any, and a brief description of what prevented access.
8. Monitoring and Review
SIFMIS accessibility should be reviewed as features are added, forms change, partner workflows expand, or Ghanaian accessibility requirements are updated. Reviews may include user feedback, technical checks, field observations, complaint trends, and accessibility audits.
Known accessibility issues should be prioritised according to their impact on public service access, beneficiary eligibility, statutory rights, security, and programme fairness.