Key Takeaways on Mobile Phone Accessibility from Maria Stephens

Maria Stephens of USAID reflects on the recent EPS Seminar #7 "How Mobile Phones Can Improve Access to Services for Persons with Disabilities." Stephens reviews the role of various stakeholders involved in deploying accessible mobile solutions for persons with disabilities. This undertaking represents a significant opportunity given that the number of mobile phones in service will be greater than the world population in 2012 with high rates of adoption among developing nations. 

Bio: Maria Stephens

Maria Stephens is a Senior Technical Adviser with the U.S. Agency for International Development and subject matter expert in emerging payment systems risk and regulatory issues with over 18 years’ experience in microfinance and financial economics. While a Financial Economist at the U.S. Treasury Department, Ms. Stephens was selected to participate in the development of policy and regulatory position papers focusing on derivatives and other related financial products and services. From 2007-2009, Ms. Stephens provided long-term technical support to the Central Bank of China and GTZ to establish the People’s Republic of China’s first private-sector microcredit company. She is a primary author of the USAID-Booz Allen Hamilton Mobile Financial Services Matrix and related mobile financial services risk mitigation tools and documents, and continues to lead in the development of USAID’s emerging payment systems policy and regulatory agenda.