Old Mutual breaks sign language barriers, trains 20 frontline staff members

One of the leading Insurance Companies in the country, Old Mutual Malawi has become the first company to break the language barrier between staff members and customers seeking services especially those who uses sign language to communicate.

On Saturday, the company awarded certificate to 20 frontline staff members who have been trained in sign language skills.

The two months training was conducted by Malawi Council for Handicapped (MACOHA) in partnership with Sign Language Inclusive Development (SLIDE).

Speaking after ceremony Old Mutual Group Customer Experience Executive Linda Poya said the training is a game changer in the company’s effort to reach out hearing impaired people.

“Since Old Mutual believes in inclusivity, the company though Customer Experience Team identified a gap that our services are not being served fairly especially to people with hearing impairment.

“The team then identified people from SLIDE in corroboration with MACOHA to train our frontline staff in sign language skills with an aim of accommodating customers who uses sign language as mode of communication hence the training,” said Poya.

She said all frontline staff members from all its branches across the country took part in the two months training.
On her part Public Relations Officer for MACOHA Harriet Kachimanga hailed Old Mutual for the training.

“This is a very good initiative by Old Mutual and we do not take it for granted. It shows that the company is committed toward inclusivity in Malawi,” said Kachimanga.

She then urged other companies in emulate Old Mutual’s gesture.