Seylan Bank’s ‘Signfluencer’ campaign, aimed at empowering the hearing and visually impaired, made a significant impact at its launch by spotlighting the need to acknowledge those who are hard of hearing. As a catalyst for growth, the next phase of Seylan Bank’s campaign will lend its support to the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana.
The goal was to empower the school’s visually impaired students by enhancing their computer literacy skills. To this end, Seylan Bank will pave the way, funding instructors and educators in the field.
As the Bank with a Heart, inclusivity is of paramount importance to Seylan Bank. Through this initiative, the bank reaffirms and amplifies its efforts to make all their customers feel valued. The effort underscores the potential for all communities, including the deaf and blind, to aspire to greatness.
The ‘Signfluencer’ campaign created a spotlight on the need to acknowledge the country’s hearing-impaired community. Seylan Bank revealed that Sri Lanka’s distinct variant of sign language is not widely accepted. In celebration of Sign Language Day in 2023, the campaign raised awareness and support for the language’s user community. It encouraged people to recognise sign language as a means of connecting with the community to better understand their needs, largely because the deaf community faces challenges engaging with the wider society of Sri Lanka. Despite being drafted in 2021, the Cabinet-approved bill to recognise Sri Lankan Sign Language as an official language, has yet to be passed.
Seylan Bank operates on the core belief that everyone has the capacity for greatness. As such, they are committed to promoting equity and inclusion. This new campaign aims to create awareness about visually challenged citizens across the country and equalise opportunities for them. This next phase aims to further boost visibility and empowerment for the hearing and visually impaired.
Asiri Abhayaratne, Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Sales, stated, “It is our responsibility as citizens to amplify diversity and inclusivity in Sri Lanka. Our aim is to improve current conditions so that Sri Lankan citizens can live to achieve their fullest potential. We believe that our efforts will help differently abled individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds develop new skills because, as a brand, we firmly believe in the currency of ambition. Our long-term goal is to partner with like-minded institutions to shape infrastructure that provides citizens with disabilities better access to the world around them.”