Bangladesh Backs Barrier-Free Digital Access on GAAD 2024

This year, Bangladesh observed Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with a strong call to incorporate digital accessibility features into online portals. At a discussion event held Thursday at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) auditorium in Agargaon, speakers emphasized the urgent need for disability-inclusive features in digital services, educational materials, websites, mobile apps, and content platforms.

The program was jointly organized by Aspire to Innovate (a2i) and Friendship. The event's chief guest was Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor. Special guests included Shish Hayder Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division; Mustafa Kamal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Social Welfare; and Ayesha Tasnim Khan, Senior Director of Friendship’s Inclusive Citizenship Sector.

Also present were Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), and Khokon Chandra Barman, a survivor of the July-August movement who sustained severe injuries.

In his address, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb urged both public and private sectors to prioritize inclusive digital services for persons with disabilities. "We have clearly integrated digital accessibility into the ‘National Digital Transformation Strategy and ICT Reform Roadmap’, which is a prime example of aligning technology with public policy," he said. "We’ve already initiated digital accessibility provisioning across three levels—technical standards, security, and inclusive design."

He further called for a2i’s digital accessibility innovations to be extended to marginalized and remote communities. Addressing media representatives, he added, "Media organizations should incorporate digital accessibility features in their online portals. This can be done easily without needing entirely new systems."

Special guest Shish Hayder Chowdhury stated, "Our goal is an inclusive Bangladesh where all citizens—especially persons with disabilities—can equally access all digital services. We are diligently working toward this goal."

The event was presided over by Muhammad Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary at the Cabinet Division and Joint Project Director of a2i. The welcome speech was delivered by Abdullah Al Fahim, a2i’s Head of Project Management.

During the event, representatives from various government and non-government institutions, along with experts, highlighted the importance of ensuring accessibility in web and e-services. Nahid Alam, Head of the Center of Innovation Cluster at a2i, presented an overview of their accessibility initiatives and disability-friendly innovations. He invited all stakeholders to collaborate with a2i on a broader scale.

On the occasion, three entities received special recognition for their inclusive digital contributions:

• Grameenphone's "Signline", an online customer service platform in sign language for persons with hearing and speech impairments.

• The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), for developing multimedia talking books for students with disabilities.

• Islami Bank Bangladesh, for launching the 'CellFin' app with disability-friendly digital banking services.

Ayesha Tasnim Khan remarked, "The digital world must be usable for all. Those unable to access it often fall behind in real life too. On this Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let us go beyond awareness and take action, so that accessibility becomes a norm in Bangladesh."

Since 2012, GAAD has been observed annually on the third Thursday of May to raise awareness about digital accessibility for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. In Bangladesh, a2i remains the only government initiative specifically working to ensure digital accessibility for people with disabilities.