The Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) has organised a program to mark 30 years of its work towards the inclusion and socio-economic development of persons with disabilities.
The program was held on Monday at the Brac CDM premises in Savar. Participants in various CDD projects, representatives of donor and partner organisations, government officials and others attended the event.
Opening the program, CDD Executive Director Nazmul Bari said the organisation has been working to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities in education, skills development, employment and leadership.
“CDD has made significant progress towards the goals with which it began its journey. However, much remains to be done to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities and bring them into leadership positions,” he said.
He called on the government and others to join efforts to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society.
CDD Founder, Executive Director and Executive Adviser AHM Noman Khan then highlighted some milestones from the organisation’s 30-year journey.
Guests also unveiled a book documenting CDD’s three decades of work. The program included a cake-cutting ceremony followed by a traditional folk performance.
Speakers at the final session discussed experiences and the impact of efforts to establish the rights of persons with disabilities, expand access to education, promote community-based rehabilitation and ensure inclusion in disaster management.
Chief guest AKM Tarek, director general of the Bangladesh Rural Development Board, said CDD has played a leading role in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh.
He said the government was working with organisations such as CDD to promote inclusion in remote areas where access to urban facilities is limited.
He also expressed hope that partnerships between the government and other organisations would be strengthened to build a more inclusive Bangladesh.
The program ended with a cultural event featuring persons with disabilities and others.
Earlier in the day, CDD also organised the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Summit 2026, attended by several hundred children and young people with disabilities and their parents.
Speakers at the summit discussed the rights, participation and empowerment of persons with disabilities, as well as inclusive development, and exchanged experiences and views on future initiatives.
They expressed hope that joint efforts would contribute to building an inclusive, equitable and humane society.
