A national dialogue in Dhaka has called for dedicated budget allocation and stronger coordination between public and private institutions to advance disability inclusion.
The discussion, titled “Disability-Friendly Infrastructure and Employment for Persons with Disabilities”, was held at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation auditorium in Agargaon in the capital on Sunday, marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026.
The event was organised by the Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and the Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), on the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026, under the Disability Inclusive Civic Engagement (DiCE) project.
The initiative is funded by the governments of Switzerland, Canada and the European Union and implemented through GFA Consulting Group GmbH, with support from the Nagorikata – Citizenship Civic Engagement Fund. The project is jointly implemented by B-SCAN, the Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID) and the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD).
Addressing the event as chief guest, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, MP, said coordinated efforts between government and non-government institutions were needed to ensure universal accessibility and create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
She said the government plans to establish a centralised data centre to maintain accurate information on persons with disabilities and the services they receive.
She also reiterated existing government directives on online accessibility, free legal services for persons with disabilities and fare concessions in public transport, including a 25 per cent discount on air-conditioned buses and a 50 per cent discount on regular buses.
National Skills Development Authority Executive Chairman Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury said accessibility in buses, trains and all public spaces was essential to ensure independent mobility and participation in the workforce.
Housing and Building Research Institute Principal Research Officer Architect Md Nafizur Rahman called for integrating accessibility provisions into the main body of the building code rather than keeping them in annexes.
Earlier in the programme, CSID Executive Director Khandaker Jahurul Alam delivered the welcome address.
The keynote paper was presented by B-SCAN Director Muhammad Iftekhar Mahmud, who said that although a national action plan exists, no budget allocation has been provided for its implementation and implementation measures remain limited.
CDD Executive Director Nazmul Bari, who presided over the event, said persons with disabilities remain significantly excluded from mainstream employment opportunities.
In the open discussion, BRAC representative Zahidul Kabir said development efforts would remain limited without disability-focused budget allocations across ministries.
Representatives from government agencies, professional associations and organisations of persons with disabilities attended the event.
The session was moderated by B-SCAN Executive Director Salma Mahbub.
