Leaders from organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) across the country gathered this week for a series of learning and sharing sessions aimed at strengthening grassroots leadership, improving coordination, and amplifying the voices of people with disabilities in national policymaking.
The sessions were held on the second day of the program in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday.
The sessions brought together participants with physical, visual, hearing, and multiple disabilities, many of whom traveled long distances to attend. For several attendees, it was their first opportunity to engage in a structured, rights-based dialogue with OPD leaders from other districts.
Focused on organizing a disability-inclusive development initiative, the program emphasized exchanging real-life experiences, identifying common challenges, and mapping collective strategies for 2025. Discussions centered on barriers to accessing education, healthcare, transportation, employment, public services, and social protection—areas where participants noted that legal commitments have yet to translate into lived realities.
One OPD representative, Md Sahin Mia, said, “We face similar obstacles across the country: lack of accessibility, discriminatory attitudes, and delays in receiving essential services. These sessions help us connect our struggles and plan stronger advocacy together.”
Several OPD leaders emphasized that the lack of quality learning, training, and skills-development opportunities continues to push persons with disabilities further behind.
Md Al-Amin Sheikh, President of Alor Prodip, highlighted the program’s role in improving access to basic education for children with disabilities in rural areas over the past four years.
“For admission at the basic school level, this project has been playing a positive role. People in rural communities now recognize that initiatives like this ensure education for their children with disabilities. As a result, more children with disabilities are attending school and continuing their studies,” he said.
He stressed that OPDs have been directly involved in these activities, working closely with families and local institutions to support children’s enrollment and retention. Although the current project is set to conclude in 2025, Al-Amin said they are already planning ways to sustain and expand the work.
“We are working on future plans and budget issues so that this effort does not stop. We want to expand these initiatives to all primary schools across Bangladesh. We hope the government will support us to ensure inclusive education in every community,” he said.
He added that OPDs will continue advocating to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld across the country.
Another participant from Shofol, Sampa Khatun, stressed the need for gender-responsive training.
“Women with disabilities face additional restrictions. Even when opportunities exist, mobility issues and stigma force many to stay behind. Safe, women-friendly learning spaces are essential,” she said.
Rokeya Begum from Spondon highlighted the lack of follow-up mechanisms.
“Training alone does not create livelihoods. People need mentoring, equipment, and refresher courses. Without that, skills often go unused,” she said.
Participants also pointed out weak outreach in rural communities. Jahidul Islam of SPASS noted, “Many people never hear about training programs. Information gaps and untrained instructors limit the impact of learning initiatives.”
Prominent voices working in disability rights and policy shared their insights during the sessions.
Disability rights lawyer and OPD consultant Mohammad Rejaul Karim Siddiquee said the gap between legislation and implementation remains alarming.
“The 2013 Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act is one of the strongest in South Asia, yet enforcement is inconsistent. Without accountability, rights remain on paper, not in people’s lives,” he said, urging the government to ensure district-level monitoring, accessibility audits, and full legal compliance.
Amrita Rejina Rozario, Country Director of Sightsavers, stressed the need for sustained investment in OPD capacity-building.
“OPDs are the backbone of disability advocacy. When they are strengthened, inclusion strengthens. We must ensure that skills, resources, and leadership opportunities reach OPDs at the grassroots,” she said, adding that disability inclusion must cut across health, education, employment, and governance.
Dr. Asim Das, professor at the University of Dhaka, emphasized the need for academic research and evidence-based advocacy.
“Bangladesh lacks reliable disability data. Without facts, policies become guesswork. Universities must collaborate with OPDs to generate research that drives real solutions,” he noted.
Md Sazzd Kabir from CDD highlighted the need for coordinated national action.
“Different ministries run disability-related programs, but coordination is weak. We need to focus more on home-schooling programs, and OPDs must have a seat at every decision-making table if we want true inclusion,” he said.
Participants reiterated concerns over the slow implementation of disability laws and stressed that OPDs must be treated as equal partners, not symbolic participants, in decision-making.
The sessions concluded with a set of collective recommendations, including establishing district OPD-government dialogue platforms, improving physical and digital accessibility, expanding nationwide skills development, ensuring gender-inclusive training, and enhancing opportunities for emerging OPD leaders.
Organizers said the learning exchange marked an important step toward strengthening a rights-focused disability movement in Bangladesh, driven by the leadership, voices, and lived experiences of persons with disabilities themselves.