Accessibility, jobs key to disability inclusion: Speakers

Speakers at a national dialogue on Sunday called for stronger coordination between government and private institutions to ensure accessibility and create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, stressing that inclusion must be backed by concrete policy measures and resources.

The dialogue, titled "Disability-Friendly Infrastructure and Employment for Persons with Disabilities", was held at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation auditorium in Agargaon to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026.

Addressing the event as chief guest, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said coordinated efforts by public and private institutions were essential to ensure universal accessibility and greater employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Highlighting the government's commitment to inclusion, she announced the establishment of a centralised data centre to maintain accurate information on persons with disabilities and the services available to them. She also reiterated existing directives on online accessibility, free legal services and transport concessions, including discounted fares on public buses.

The state minister further urged organisations to publish disability-disaggregated reports to improve planning and accountability.

Speaking as a special guest, Dr Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), stressed the need to ensure accessibility in buses, trains and public spaces. She said disability-friendly workplaces remained crucial as many persons with disabilities still face barriers to independent mobility.

Architect Md Nafizur Rahman, Principal Research Officer of the Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), called for accessibility provisions to be incorporated into the main body of the Building Code rather than being included in annexes.

Presenting the keynote paper, Muhammad Iftekhar Mahmud, Director of B-SCAN, said that although a national action plan exists, no budget allocation has been made for its implementation and little progress has been achieved.

Presiding over the event, Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) Executive Director Nazmul Bari said persons with disabilities continue to be largely excluded from mainstream employment opportunities.

During the discussion, participants emphasised the need for disability-focused budget allocations across ministries to ensure meaningful inclusion.

The event was organised by organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and B-SCAN under the Disability Inclusive Civic Engagement (DiCE) project.