A new advocacy platform, the Article 9 Committee, has been launched to promote the implementation of Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which requires measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities across all areas of life.
The committee held its inaugural meeting at the Omni Residency Hotel in Baridhara, Dhaka, on Monday, with a focus on addressing barriers in infrastructure, transport, information and communication technology, and public services.
The meeting was organized by the women-led Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), with support from the Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID) and the Centre for Disabilities in Development (CDD), under the Disability Inclusive Civic Engagement (DiCE) project. The project is supported by the Nagorikata – Civic Engagement Fund, managed by GFA.
Article 9 of the UNCRPD calls on states to ensure that persons with disabilities can access the physical environment, transportation, information and communications, and other facilities and services open or provided to the public on an equal basis with others. Accessibility is essential to independent living and full participation in society.
The committee aims to raise awareness of accessibility rights, bring together organisations of persons with disabilities, civil society groups, development organisations, professional bodies and academic institutions, and strengthen coordination and accountability in implementing accessibility standards.
Accessibility extends beyond ramps to include accessible buildings and toilets, public transport, websites, sign language and information in accessible formats. Universal design can also benefit older people, children, pregnant women and those with temporary mobility difficulties.
B-SCAN Executive Director Salma Mahbub said the platform would work nationally to make Bangladesh accessible to all by combining the knowledge and experience of civil society organisations.
The committee's initial priorities include identifying barriers across infrastructure, transport, communication technologies and services; engaging responsible institutions; and advocating for universal design to make accessibility an integral part of planning and service delivery.
Representatives from B-SCAN, CDD and CSID attended the meeting, alongside those from WaterAid, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), BRAC, Friendship, SERAC, WBB Trust, the Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF), SMF, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and Mass Studio.
