The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of existing research on microfinance lending discrimination against people with disabilities. It argues that existing literature suggests people with disabilities face notable discrimination in accessing microfinance (Labie et al., 2015). The attitudes of employees within microfinance institutions (MFIs) are one of the principal sources of such discrimination, which has important implications for the lives of people with disabilities (Cramm & Finkenflugel, 2008; Mersland, Bwire & Mukasa, 2009; Labie et al., 2015). Moreover, studies conducted by Beisland & Mersland (2012) and Nuwagaba et al. (2012) found that people with disabilities tend not to apply for microfinance due to the anticipation of such rejection. People with disabilities face both “taste-based discrimination” (prejudice) and “statistical discrimination” (when a decision-maker uses individuals’ observable characteristics as a substitute for unobservable ones). It is reasonable to assume that reducing discrimination in the microfinance market would greatly benefit existing and prospective entrepreneurs with disabilities. However, this requires targeted interventions aimed at inducing systematic institutional reforms, changing the mindsets of employees and people with disabilities, and integrating appropriate accommodations within microfinance operations. In order to implement these changes, I conclude that microfinance regulators must work to identify areas of discrimination that are not correctly covered by existing lending practices.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PDAC: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the commonest form), a lethal disease, is best treated with surgical excision but is feasible in less than a fifth of patients. Around a third of patients presentlocally advanced, inoperable, non-metastatic (laPDAC), whose stadrd of care is palliative chemotherapy; a small minority are down-sized sufficiently to enable surgical excision. We propose a phase II clinical trial to test whether a combination of standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine & nab-Paclitaxel: GEM-NABP) and repurposing All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) to target the stroma may extend progression-free survival and enable successful surgical resection for patients with laPDAC, since data from phase IB clinical trial demonstrate safety of GEM-NABP-ATRA combination to patients with advanced PDAC with potential therapeutic benefit. Methods: Patients with laPDAC will receive at least six cycles of GEM-NABP with 1:1 randomisation to receive this with or without ATRA to assess response, until progression or intolerance. Those with stable/responding disease may undergo surgical resection. Primary endpoint is progression free survival (PFS) defined as the time from the date of randomisation to the date of first documented tumour progression (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours [RECIST] v1.1) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), safety and tolerability, surgical resection rate, R0 surgical resection rate and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) as measured by questionnaire EQ-5D-5L. Exploratory endpoints include a decrease or increase in CA19-9 and serum Vitamin A over time correlated with ORR, PFS, and OS. Discussion: STARPAC2 aims to assess the role of stromal targeting in laPDAC. Trial registration: EudraCT: 2019–004231-23; NCT04241276; ISRCTN11503604.

There is no doubt that the sudden outbreak of COVID‐19 negatively impacted billions of people worldwide, and among them, people with disabilities became most susceptible. However, little is known about the impact of COVID‐19 on the lives of people with disabilities in Nepal. Using empirical data from semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with people with disabilities, disability specialist, and community leaders, this study discusses the lived experiences of people with disabilities who have been affected by COVID‐19 in Nepal. This study revealed that the outbreak of COVID‐19 impacted people with disabilities by worsening their vulnerability. In particular, the majority of people with disabilities became further isolated, were disconnected from existing services such as access to information, education, and health care and many lost their income opportunities. Findings from this study further show that this pandemic affected the rights of people with disabilities guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Immediate financial and non‐financial support for people with disabilities from government and other stakeholders, such as non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), is needed, indicating the need for policymakers to reassess policies to ensure that they adequately protect the rights of people with disabilities.

This article constitutes a summary of the literatures and practices on the microfinance industry and its contribution, the status of people with disabilities (PWDs), and the case studies for financial inclusion in Bangladesh. Many Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are operating to serve all segments of the clients for financial inclusion. People with Disabilities encounter several exclusions in the mainstream microfinance institutions in Bangladesh. At the same time, MFIs faces numerous challenges to serve these people. Even if it is not a formal analysis, it is still found that PWDs encounter tremendous discrimination such as social, political, physical, cultural, environmental; serious barriers including formal and self-employment, less access to credit, government support and social safety net system. On the other hand, these people often put themselves into ‘benefit traps’. Microfinance institutions do not realize that many disabled people are economically active, that disabled customers expect service, and do not know how to adapt products for disabled people. The profitable partnership between MFIs and Disabled People’s Organization (DPOs) are absent in practice. The government’s social safety nets programme is also very limited. Economic rehabilitation would come into progress when integration happens by blending social protection and necessary resources for income generation.

Due to limited access to affordable financial products and services, many people with disabilities experience social exclusion and struggle to secure their financial well‐being. While microfinance has been widely used in Bangladesh for more than three decades as a tool to reduce poverty and empower people living in poverty, few people with disabilities have had access to microfinance services. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the barriers and challenges that people with disabilities experience to access microfinance in Bangladesh. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the findings of a thematic analysis show that people with disabilities experience significant barriers in accessing microfinance such as stigma against people with disabilities, stringent credit conditions, negative staff attitudes, insufficient training, and the absence of an integrated approach. The research suggests that inclusive policies and their effective implementation are vital to ensure that people with disabilities have access to financial resources so that they could work to enjoy greater socio‐economic independence and contribute equally to society with others.

Motivation: People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged and dispossessed people on earth, especially in the global South, where they have limited or no access to basic amenities of life and income‐earning opportunities. Moreover, in developing societies where poverty is widespread and disability is often regarded as a liability and, at times, stigmatized, people with disabilities often live in starkly inadequate conditions.This article is based on doctoral research which, among other things, investigated the pilot experiment by non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) in Bangladesh. This developing, tradition‐bound country is looking to share theoretical understanding of aspects that contribute to dispossessions and the quagmire of deprivations into which people with disabilities are trapped, and alongside this present the potential or otherwise of microfinance in economic and social empowerment of people with disabilities who are “economically active.”Purpose: The article, which is based on qualitative research and depicts in an objective manner the lived experiences of people with disabilities in a developing country setting, offers useful lessons in social and economic empowerment of people with disabilities in such societies.Methods and Approach: Underpinned by the theory of intersectionality, this research used an innovative and customized qualitative case study method that is crucial in reaching out, interacting with, and gathering information and articulating issues that are relevant for policy development.Findings: There are two important findings. First, that reaching out to and gathering information from and articulating the lived experiences and empowerment imperatives of people with disabilities, as well as the innovation and customization of existing tools and techniques of qualitative research, are key; and second, while microfinance did help a few people with disabilities who are in poverty and have been deemed “economically active,” the empowerment of people with disabilities requires a more holistic approach.Policy Implications: The findings of this research indicate the importance of qualitative research to understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities in their own environment and formulate policies and initiate programmes that address the needs of people with disabilities in a practical and empowering manner, especially in the global South.