The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organized a panel discussion titled Disability Inclusion in Academic Institutions on Monday.
Recognizing the importance of addressing learning disabilities within our diverse demographic, the event occurred at Dhaka University in collaboration with the Department of Communication Disorders of DU.
The seminar, attended by academicians and practitioners in the field of learning disabilities, explored the significant impact of dyslexia and ADHD within our demographic.
Understanding and empathizing with differently-abled individuals were highlighted as integral elements in promoting diversity within society.
Tawhida Jahan, associate professor, Department of Communication Disorders, University of Dhaka, gave her opening remarks and highlighted the need to address the lack of training of school teachers to communicate with students with disorders like dyslexia and ADHD.
She said: “Teachers play an important role in analyzing a child’s intellectual ability, and using creative teaching methods according to each child’s need.”
Rutger-Jan Schoen, chair of the Board, Niketon, introduced “Shokkhom”, a free knowledge platform that students and academicians can use to educate themselves about how disability can be approached by parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. The platform is pioneered by Niketan and DRRA and developed and maintained by RedOrange.
The event concluded with an interactive Question and Answer session, where students shared concerns about building an inclusive education system in the future, such as having advanced tools to support people with visual disabilities.
As part of the DU and ULAB collaboration, this event will pave the way for a Diversity Club, a student-led body in DU. Through this club, the students will build their leadership in the area of inclusive education and diversity by organizing events and activities to amplify their voices.
This initiative reflects CES's steadfast commitment to fostering understanding, empathy, and inclusivity in our society. By addressing the challenges associated with learning disabilities, CES aims to contribute to the broader conversation on diversity and create more inclusive academic environments. The event also provided a platform for experts to share insights, exchange ideas, and propose practical solutions.
CES believes that by actively engaging in such conversations, we can collectively work towards breaking down barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their learning abilities.