A2i marks accessibility day to promote inclusive digital services

The government has made digital accessibility for persons with disabilities a strategic priority, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, said on Thursday.

Anam was speaking at an event marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026, organised by Aspire to Innovate (a2i) at the BIDA Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, according to a press release.

Friendship and Sightsavers co-organised the event.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, MP; Sightsavers Country Director Amrita Regina Rosario; and Ayesha Taasin Khan, Senior Director and Head of Inclusive Citizenship Sector at Friendship, attended as special guests.

Valerie Ann Taylor, Founder of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, was present as guest of honour.

The event was chaired by Quazi Anowar Hossain, Secretary of the ICT Division, while Md Abdur Rofiq, Project Director (Additional Secretary) of a2i, delivered the welcome remarks.

Abdullah Al Fahim, Head of Programme Management, moderated. Accessibility consultant and disability rights advocate Vashkar Bhattacharjee also addressed the event.

Anam noted that accessible websites and applications have been developed in line with the principle that no one should be left behind.

He added, "All digital services will henceforth be designed with the needs of persons with disabilities in mind. This is not a matter of charity; it is their right. Technology must align with people's needs, abilities and diversity."

The government aims to connect persons with disabilities more actively to mainstream society through new technologies, Anam said.

"The ICT Division will take all necessary steps to ensure persons with disabilities hold a dignified position in society through technology," he added.

Farzana Sharmin said the government will fully support public and private sector growth, as well as innovative initiatives that advance digital accessibility.

She emphasised that universal accessibility is essential to building a Bangladesh for all, noting that the government is working to ensure all citizens, including persons with disabilities, can easily access digital services.

ICT Division Secretary Quazi Anowar Hossain stated that Bangladesh's digital advancement would only be meaningful when every citizen can use digital services with dignity, independence and equality.

He called for coordinated efforts among government institutions, development partners, civil society, organisations of persons with disabilities, technology innovators and the private sector.

Md Abdur Rofiq, in his welcome remarks, said a2i is working to gradually make government digital services accessible and ensure the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He also highlighted plans to develop AI-based sign language tools, make e-commerce and e-learning platforms more inclusive, and establish a Disability Innovation Knowledge Platform for knowledge sharing.

Vashkar Bhattacharjee reiterated that digital access is a constitutional right, not charity.

"Bangladesh first—if everyone has digital access. This is not charity; it is our constitutional right," he said.

He noted that a2i's Disability Innovation Lab is working to ensure digital accessibility through inclusive innovation in government digital services, educational materials, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and awareness raising.

Amrita Regina Rosario said Sightsavers has long worked to raise awareness, eliminate avoidable blindness, establish the rights of persons with disabilities and support inclusive policies.

Ayesha Taasin Khan noted that true inclusion is achieved only when technology, services and opportunities are equally accessible and usable for everyone.

At the event, five initiatives were recognised for promoting accessibility: the Ministry of Social Welfare's Therapy Service Management for Persons with Disabilities and Disability Information System; Bangladesh Police's Online Police Clearance Certificate Service; the Gram Adalat Mobile App of the Local Government Division and UNDP; and Eastern Bank's EBL Skybanking initiative.

Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam visited innovators' stalls showcasing disability-friendly technologies in the morning, while Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, visited in the afternoon.

Both acknowledged the innovations and reiterated the government's commitment to building an inclusive Bangladesh.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is observed globally on the third Thursday of May, aiming to make websites, mobile applications, software and digital services easier to use and accessible for persons with disabilities.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Marrakesh Treaty, Bangladesh is committed to digital inclusion. Digital accessibility is also prioritised under the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act and in government policy.