Rights activists have called for mandatory digital accessibility across digital banking and mobile-based financial services to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities and promote financial inclusion.
They made the demand at the National Dissemination Meeting on Digital Accessibility Audit Findings held at Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, where speakers highlighted challenges faced by persons with disabilities, especially visually impaired users, while using digital financial services.
The speakers urged authorities to prioritise accessible PIN, one-time password (OTP), CAPTCHA, Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and transaction workflows. They also called for accessible customer support and complaint channels.
The event was organised by the Visually Impaired People’s Society (VIPS) with support from Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and Christian Aid on Saturday.
Speakers said persons with disabilities account for around 15 per cent of the population and cannot be excluded from the country’s digital transformation. They said ensuring accessibility across digital products, services, mobile applications and websites is essential for equal, independent and dignified access to information, public services, financial services, news and other digital platforms.
Presenting the keynote paper, Intelion Techbridge Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and former VIPS General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Amit said accessibility audits of six digital platforms identified significant barriers affecting users with disabilities.
The audited platforms were the Prothom Alo Mobile App, Pubali Bank’s Official Banking Website, Nagad Mobile App, Pathao Mobile App, Birth & Death Registration (BDRIS) Website and Family e-Court Website.
“Bangladesh’s rapid digital expansion must be matched by an equal commitment to accessibility. Most identifiable barriers are technically addressable without major redesign, provided accessibility is embedded from procurement through design, development, testing and ongoing monitoring—not treated as an afterthought,” Amit said.
He said sustained institutional commitment, including enactment of laws, is necessary to ensure digital services provide equal access for all citizens and that accessibility becomes a core requirement of digital governance and service quality.
Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) Secretary Abu Sayed Mohammad Kamruzzaman attended the event as chief guest and assured that he would work to advance the digital rights of persons with disabilities.
VIPS President Advocate Musherraf Hossain Majumder, who chaired the meeting, called for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including the media, to promote inclusive information and communication technology (ICT) in Bangladesh.
He said national development would be affected if persons with disabilities remain excluded from mainstream society. He also stressed the need for skills-based training, education and employment opportunities to build a more inclusive Bangladesh.
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Senior Programme Manager Sheikh Gius Uddin Ahmed, VIPS General Secretary Advocate Md Al Amin, Bangladesh Computer Council Director Golam Rabbani and Friendship Deputy General Manager Nusrat Jerin Joya, along with several persons with disabilities, also spoke at the meeting.
