According to the World Health Organization, 10% of the world's population has some form of disability. Bangladesh, like many developing countries, is in a state of urgency when it comes to ensuring the rights and well-being of its citizens with disabilities. The need for public awareness and advocacy efforts is pressing.
Ensuring disability rights is not just about fulfilling legal obligations, but also about unlocking the potential within a diverse society. When people with disabilities have their rights recognized and supported, they can contribute their talents, skills, and perspectives to their societies.
In our country, stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities can result in social isolation and exclusion. People with disabilities have always been ignored and neglected.
There are many types of disabilities in different countries of the world. Some of them are visually impaired, hearing impaired, speech impaired, physically disabled due to some limb loss, and some have an intellectual disability. Regardless of their disability, the one common factor is the neglect they face.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides a framework for ensuring disability inclusivity in all aspects of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation. Bangladesh has fully endorsed the UNCRPD by ratifying it without reservations in November 2007 and subsequently incorporating its provisions into national law.
Bangladesh has a legal framework, the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013, to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Section 32 of the Act states that owners or authorities of all public transport shall reserve 5% of the total number of seats for persons with disabilities.
According to section 34 of the Act, the Building Construction Act of 1952 shall be followed to ensure the accessibility of persons with disabilities in public facilities. All public facilities shall be suitable for climbing, movement, and use by persons with disabilities.
According to section 37 (1) of the Act, if any person creates or attempts to create obstacles to the protection of the law of a person with disabilities, he shall be punished. This penalty ensures that the rights of persons with disabilities are not violated.
On the other hand, the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2015, have been formulated to bring persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society and ensure their equal rights. These regulations outline specific guidelines and procedures to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in Bangladesh.
Despite the existence of laws protecting disability rights, many provisions remain unimplemented, leaving individuals with disabilities vulnerable to discrimination and social exclusion.
Unfortunately, in our society, due to the lack of public awareness about the rights of people with disabilities, an atmosphere of discrimination is created, as a result of which people with disabilities are deprived of education, employment opportunities, and even public spaces because they are not aware of their legal protection.
Although the previous government is no longer in power, an adequate education environment for children with disabilities has not been created yet. Special measures are not taken in most general schools, making them uncomfortable with their classmates and losing interest in coming to school. As a result, they are deprived of education, so they need more trained teachers to teach them, which is also severely lacking.
People with disabilities are not a burden to society; they are our potential future if given proper opportunities. A significant portion of the population remains unaware of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. This lack of awareness hinders the creation of accessible infrastructure and services. However, by creating an inclusive society, we can tap into the immense potential of persons with disabilities and enrich our communities.
Every citizen has equal rights. The interim government should work to ensure the rights and protection of people with disabilities so that they can be free from discrimination in our society. The interim government should also allocate adequate resources to support initiatives to empower persons with disabilities.
Besides the interim government, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and common people should all come together to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Lastly, increasing public awareness about disability rights is important to building an inclusive society. Through its implementation, Bangladesh will create a more equitable environment for people with disabilities. Protecting the rights of people with disabilities is not just a legal duty but a fundamental moral obligation that demands a united effort from everyone in society.
Atiqur Rahaman is a freelance contributor.
