Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) on Saturday observed the 34th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the 27th National Disability Day 2025 by organizing a rally and a workshop.
The program began at 9am with the theme “Fostering a disability-inclusive society for advancing social progress.”
Dr Md Omar Faruk, rector (secretary) of the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy under the Ministry of Public Administration, attended the event as the chief guest.
He said the academy would extend all possible support for BIRDO’s development, adding that the establishment of a BIRDO Eye Hospital and a modern digital Braille press would help visually impaired students advance their education and empowerment.
The workshop featured a keynote paper presented by Firoza Khatun, deputy manager of BIRDO, who placed several policy recommendations to strengthen disability inclusion.
She said ensuring political participation, institutional leadership, and accessibility was essential for effective implementation of the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act.
Her recommendations included reserved parliamentary seats for persons with disabilities, priority in political party nominations, formation of a dedicated ministry for the development and empowerment of persons with disabilities, appointment of qualified persons with disabilities as ministers and secretaries, establishment of a national monitoring commission, ensuring accessibility in education, transport, technology, and employment, increasing disability allowances to Tk5,000, and allocating adequate budget for enforcement of the law.
Earlier, BIRDO Treasurer Hosne Ara Begum said such initiatives were necessary to bring disability issues into mainstream discourse.
BIRDO Executive Director Md Saidul Haque said the organization had been working to ensure education, rehabilitation, and dignity for persons with visual impairments and would continue expanding its activities nationwide.
The event was presided over by BIRDO President Advocate Md. Mosharraf Hossain Majumder, who said the observance of the International and National Disability Days helped boost the morale of persons with disabilities and raise public awareness.
Among others present were officials from government and private institutions, journalists, BIRDO officials, and students.
