ICT minister vows equal opportunities for persons with disabilities

Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Adviser Fakir Mahbub Anam has said the government is committed to ensuring that no talented individual is held back because of disability or lack of opportunity.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National IT Competition for Youth with Disabilities 2026 at the University of Asia Pacific in Dhaka on Saturday, he said technology should enable equal participation in the country’s development.

He said young people with disabilities can play a significant role in Bangladesh’s digital transformation if provided with proper training, access and technological support.

The adviser said the government is working to build an inclusive, technology-driven Bangladesh where everyone has equal access to digital opportunities. He also described the national competition as an important platform for identifying and nurturing talented youth with disabilities.

A total of 70 contestants competed in four categories�"visually impaired, physically disabled, speech and hearing impaired, and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The winners of each category earned the opportunity to represent Bangladesh at the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC) in Vietnam next October.

The event was attended by representatives of the Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID), the University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), participants and their guardians.