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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Dec. 3, 2020) – National Credit Union Administration Chairman Rodney E. Hood issued the following statement today in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“Today, the NCUA is proud to recognize this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an occasion to reflect on challenges faced by people with disabilities during periods of crisis. This year’s theme, ‘Building Back Better: Toward a Disability-Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post COVID-19 World’ emphasizes a commitment towards strengthening collective efforts for universal access to essential services. That commitment is particularly critical when it comes to financial inclusion, which I believe is the civil rights issue of our time, and must be a top priority for the financial services industry. By focusing on ways we can improve financial inclusion for Americans with disabilities, we can eliminate the barriers that have excluded them from access to quality, affordable financial services.”

Expanding the availability of safe and affordable credit and loan products to meet the needs of diverse and underserved communities, including people with disabilities, is a pillar of the NCUA’s financial inclusion initiative, ACCESS: Advancing Communities through Credit, Education, Stability, and Support. ACCESS builds on similar efforts underway at the NCUA and in credit unions that include building diverse and inclusive workforces and supplier chains, enhancing support for minority depository institutions, and supporting initiatives aimed at increasing opportunity for all Americans.

To learn more about the ACCESS Initiative, please visit https://www.ncua.gov/access.