Building Inclusive Financial Systems for All Canadians
From research to action: advancing financial inclusion through community-led innovation.
Why Financial Inclusion Matters
Nearly 1 million Canadians are unbanked and 5 million are underbanked—not by choice, but due to systemic barriers. People with disabilities, newcomers, racialized communities, and those without stable housing face the greatest challenges.
Financial exclusion is not a fringe issue. It limits access to basic tools for stability and participation in society. Inclusive financial systems are about dignity, opportunity, and justice.
Mission
The mission of this multi-phase project is to:
- Empower the disability and Deaf communities take action in removing barriers and advocating for more inclusive financial systems
- Guide policy makers, governments, and large organizations in creating more inclusive financial systems that are accessible and equitable
- Support security and privacy organizations to address fraud, scams, and abuse faced by the disability and Deaf community
- Advance systemic change through Phase 2 and FIRM:a community-led infrastructure that strengthens grassroots capacity, fosters institutional collaboration, and ensures sustainability beyond federal funding
- Build long-term resilience by establishing shared services, knowledge hubs, and governance structures that enable inclusive financial innovation
Phase 1 laid the foundation with research, tools and partnerships.
Phase 2 focuses on scaling these efforts through FIRM, creating a sustainable ecosystem that will support transformation of financial systems for all Canadians.
Phase 1 Achievements
Over the past three years, the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) partnered with community-led organizations and major financial institutions to identify barriers and co-create solutions. Key outputs include:
- Guidebook for Financial Inclusion A bilingual, accessible resource for financial institutions, featuring practical frameworks, narratives, and activities to design inclusive services. Access the Guidebook
- White Paper: Financial Partnerships as a Pathway to Financial Inclusion A strategic roadmap for systemic change, introducing the Financial Inclusion and Resilience Movement (FIRM). Read the White Paper
- Knowledge Repository An open-access collection of tools, research, and resources to support inclusive financial ecosystems. Explore Resources
What’s Next: Phase 2 and FIRM
We are launching Phase 2 to scale and sustain impact through the Financial Inclusion and Resilience Movement (FIRM)—a community-led infrastructure designed to strengthen grassroots capacity and foster institutional collaboration.
FIRM includes four core components:
- Digital Shared Services Hub Operational support for grassroots organizations (legal, bookkeeping, fundraising, IT).
- Online Knowledge Hub A platform for co-design, research, and accessibility consulting.
- Community-led Governance Decision-making grounded in lived experience.
- Community of Practice (CoP) A national network for peer learning and collaboration.
Get Involved
- Financial Institutions: Join the Knowledge Hub and embed equity into your services.
- Community Organizations: Access shared services and governance roles.
- Researchers & Advocates: Participate in collaborative research and the Community of Practice.
Resources
Project Partners
- AAWEAR
- Alliance for Equity of Blind Canadians
- ARCH Disability Law Centre
- L’arche Canada
- Bank of Canada
- Black Deaf Canada
- Canadian Council of the Blind
- Carleton Accessibility Institute
- Council of Canadians with Disabilities
- DEEN Support Services
- Disability without Poverty
- Independent Living Canada
- Inner-City Health and Wellness Program, University of Alberta
- March of Dimes Canada
- Neil Squire Society
- New Society Institute (formerly IRIS Institute)
- Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society
- Pigeon Park Savings
- Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
- Realize Canada
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Whole Woman Network
Acknowledgements
Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada/ Government of Canada.
