Towards inclusive growth and prosperity: Does financial literacy bolster financial inclusion among persons with disabilities (PWDs) in India?
摘要
This study seeks to investigate the role of financial literacy in promoting financial inclusion among persons with disabilities (PWDs), acknowledging that their empowerment is not solely about equality and prosperity but also a crucial facet of inclusive growth and development. Financial inclusion is conceptualized in terms of five key dimensions: outreach, quality, usage, accessibility, and affordability of financial services. We used a snowball sampling approach to obtain responses from individuals with locomotor impairments in India. Of the 490 respondents, 384 completed the questionnaire accurately. The statistical examination was performed using structural equation modelling based on the Financial Literacy Theory of Financial Inclusion. The results revealed a positive influence of financial literacy on overall financial inclusion among PWDs, with strong effects across all five dimensions. The present idea has not been widely discussed or explored among the disabled cohorts in the Indian context. So, the current research findings may aid policymakers and financial institutions by highlighting the urgency of developing targeted financial literacy initiatives and encouraging inclusive banking, particularly for persons with disabilities. However, the findings must be approached with caution owing to the employment of a non-probability sampling technique, which may limit generalizability.