Rights activists have called for urgent measures to ensure equal access to digital services for persons with disabilities, describing digital accessibility as both a human rights issue and an economic investment necessary for Bangladesh’s inclusive growth.
Speaking at a policy dialogue titled “Digital Rights, Democracy, and E-Governance-Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities” at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka, participants said removing digital barriers could help bring more people into education, employment, entrepreneurship and the wider digital economy. The event was jointly organised by Songjog Foundation and DDI South Asia, the organisers said in a press release.
Speakers said persons with disabilities, who account for 15 percent of the population, remain among the economically disadvantaged sections of society. They said providing proper digital devices, training and access to digital services could enable them to contribute more effectively to national development.
They highlighted that equal access to digital services could increase employment opportunities, support entrepreneurship, improve education and skills, boost productivity, reduce inequality and strengthen the digital economy.
Participants stressed the need for meaningful involvement of persons with disabilities in designing and testing digital services, along with the enactment of laws to ensure accessibility and stronger coordination among relevant government ministries, departments and agencies.
The event was informed that Bangladesh ranks 100th among 193 countries in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, the highest position among least developed countries, but ranks 108th among 137 countries in digital accessibility.
A bilingual survey of 167 verified respondents with disabilities found that 96 percent have internet access, 87 percent use the internet daily and 74 percent use assistive technology. However, 61 percent reported difficulties using government websites with assistive technology, rising to 69 percent among respondents with visual disabilities. The survey also found that 44 percent faced barriers during verification processes.
In financial services, 86 percent of respondents use mobile or online banking, but 48 percent reported difficulties, citing issues including one-time passwords, screen-reader incompatibility and biometric authentication.
Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Transparency International Bangladesh, attended the event as chief guest, while Ahmed Javed Jamal, Founder and General Secretary of Songjog Foundation, chaired the programme.
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant-Accessibility at a2i, and Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director of Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation, among others, spoke at the event.
Representatives from development organisations and several persons with disabilities attended the policy dialogue.
