Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), ADD International has concluded a three-day OPD Leaders’ Learning and Sharing Workshop in Cox’s Bazar, where participants unveiled the Cox’s Bazar Declaration 2025—a collective call for stronger disability-inclusive reforms across Bangladesh.
The workshop brought together more than a hundred leaders from organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), including individuals with physical, visual, hearing, psychosocial, and multiple disabilities. Many traveled from remote districts, saying it was the first time they could meaningfully share their experiences on a national platform on Wednesday.
The declaration called for full implementation of the 2013 Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, nationwide accessibility improvements, expansion of inclusive education—especially home- and community-based learning—and the establishment of at least one functional OPD in every upazila. Participants described the document as “years of lived experience, not just policy language.”
Md Abdul Hie Mondol, president of the National Grassroots Disability Organization (NGDO), said the platform had energized local activists.
“These sessions help OPDs organize, dream, and build their activism. True development requires a strong OPD in every upazila. We expect international organizations and government bodies to work with us—not for us,” he said.
Mst Nasima Akter, president of the National Council of Disabled Women (NCDW), emphasized that women with disabilities remain disproportionately excluded.
“Leadership spaces must include disabled women. We serve over 10,000 members across the country, yet no specific law exists for disabled women in Bangladesh. Inclusion must be gender-responsive,” she said.
Several participants highlighted how such platforms reshape leadership and confidence at the grassroots.
Md Al-Amin Sheikh, president of Alor Prodip, said: “OPDs must lead policy discussions—not just be consulted. Our involvement has helped many rural children with disabilities access school for the first time. Projects end, but our responsibility continues. We hope the government will sustain these models nationwide.”
Md Monirul Islam, general secretary of Alor Prodip, reflected on the emotional significance of the gathering: “We never imagined such a session in Cox’s Bazar. Here, we received respect and recognition. This journey has strengthened our leadership and confidence.”
Mohammad Billal Hossain, president of Spondon Protibandhi Unnayan Sangstha, said the participatory approach made the event meaningful.
“We were organized as an OPD in 2003. Platforms like this keep us connected, empowered, and engaged in mainstream society,” he said.
Program organizers said the workshop focused on strengthening OPD leadership, coordination, and movement-building. ADD International reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities—not external actors—lead the country’s disability movement.
At the conclusion, participants pledged to deliver the Cox’s Bazar Declaration to government ministries, local administrations, and development partners to advance accessibility, rights protection, and representation.
The event ended with a message that resonated across the hall “nothing about us, without us.”