Staff Reporter
The Bangladesh Eye Rehabilitation and Development Organisation (BERDO) on Saturday marked the 34th International and 27th National Day of Persons with Disabilities with a colourful rally followed by a workshop in Mirpur, Dhaka, underscoring the need for an inclusive society to advance social progress.
The programme began at 9:00am and was organised in line with this year’s theme, “Fostering a disability-inclusive society for advancing social progress.”
The event brought together policymakers, rights activists, development practitioners and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to reflect on progress and chart a clearer path forward.
Dr Md Omar Faruk, Rector of the Bangladesh Civil Services Academy under the Ministry of Public Administration, attended as chief guest. In his address, he pledged his full support for achieving BERDO’s mission and goals.
He said initiatives such as the proposed BERDO Eye Hospital and a modern Braille press would play a vital role in expanding education opportunities for blind and visually impaired children across Bangladesh.
A wide range of participants, including distinguished guests, journalists, BERDO officials and staff, as well as students from the BERDO Blind School, attended the programme, highlighting broad-based support for disability rights and inclusion.
The workshop featured a keynote presentation by Feroza Khatun, Deputy Manager of BERDO, who placed strong emphasis on political participation, institutional reform and economic security for PWDs.
Her paper outlined a set of policy recommendations, including reserving seats for persons with disabilities in the Jatiya Sangsad, prioritising PWDs in political party nominations, and forming a separate Ministry for Disability Development and Empowerment.
She also called for appointing competent persons with disabilities as minister or state minister, creating a dedicated secretary post for disability affairs, establishing a national commission to strengthen enforcement of the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, and making accessibility mandatory across all government agencies.
Other recommendations included ensuring PWD representation in decision-making committees, setting up focal wings in ministries, increasing monthly disability allowances to Tk 5,000, and boosting budgetary allocations to fully implement existing laws.
Md Saidul Huq, Executive Director of BERDO, highlighted the organisation’s activities and achievements, stressing its long-standing role in education, rehabilitation and advocacy for persons with disabilities. The session began with a welcome speech by Ms Hose Ara Begum, Treasurer of BERDO.
The meeting was presided over by Advocate Mossarf Hossain Mazumder, Chairperson of BERDO, who emphasised the broader importance of the observance.
“All of us must come forward to safeguard the rights, safety and development of persons with disabilities,” he said.
He added that such programmes help raise public awareness, strengthen the confidence of PWDs, and remind society of its responsibility to ensure equal opportunities and full participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
Organisers said the event reinforced the message that disability inclusion is not charity, but a matter of rights, dignity and sustainable social progress.
