Persons with disabilities: Bangladesh’s ‘golden citizens’ deserve more than a card
Every year, more children are born with developmental or physical conditions, but many of them can never access the very system that is supposed to protect them
No person with a disability should have to go viral to be seen by the system. Earlier this year, a story from the Murichhara Tea Garden in Moulvibazar caught national attention. A three-and-a-half-year-old boy named Gopal Santal has to stand inside a pit his mother had dug so he can support his own weight while being fed or playing for short periods.
Gopal has cerebral palsy, a physical disability that affects movement, balance, and posture. His teaworker family, surviving on daily wages, couldn't afford treatment, therapy, or even a chair. Out of desperation, Sanchari Santal has kept her son in that chest-high hole for the past year.
Before the story surfaced, this family had little knowledge of how to access government disability allowances. After the image circulated widely online, the local administration intervened. Within days, officials issued Gopal a Suborno Nagorik Card, the government's disability identification card that enables persons with disabilities (PWDs) to receive allowances and access various state services. Without a Suborno Nagorik Card, PWDs are not eligible to receive any of these benefits.
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Behind the heartwarming conclusion and photo ops lies a hard question: Should a person with a disability have to go viral to be seen by the system?
The invisible millions
In line with Article 15(d) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which upholds the right to social security, the Disability Allowance Program was introduced in the fiscal year 2005-06. At that time, over 100,000 PWDs received a monthly allowance of Tk200.
Today, there are 3.77 million registered PWDs in Bangladesh, including more than 57 thousand children. The monthly allowance now stands at Tk900.
Every year, more children are born with developmental or physical conditions, but many of them can never access the very system that is supposed to protect them. Despite the guarantee of equal rights through the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act (2013), large numbers, especially in rural areas, remain outside the radar.
Barriers: Diagnosis, digital divide, and corruption
Under the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, disabilities in Bangladesh are classified across twelve categories, including autism or autism spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, mental disabilities, visual impairments, speech disabilities, intellectual disability, hearing impairment, hearing-visual impairment, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, multiple disabilities, and other types of disabilities.
Medical certification from government doctors is the linchpin of the entire registration process, but getting diagnosed under one of these categories remains the hardest step. Most Upazila Health Complexes lack neurologists, psychologists, or therapists, leaving many conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, or mental illness unrecognised and undocumented.
Medical practitioners are expected to refer individuals to the appropriate authorities for obtaining these disability cards. However, a report by BRAC JPGSPH found that in the absence of proper guidance or follow-up after diagnosis, many persons with disabilities were left to figure out the process on their own, often relying on hearsay from neighbours, friends, or community members to learn about their rights and available services.
This lack of structured referral turns what should be a straightforward administrative process into one marked by bureaucratic delay. When this is coupled with the heavy reliance on digital systems, the path to inclusion becomes even narrower for those without phone ownership, internet access, literacy, or institutional support.
In reality, any of these steps can break down. Applicants must complete an online form (in both Bangla and English), upload supporting documents, and wait for a scheduled medical review. Many arrive at the Social Services offices without the required documents. Some never receive SMS notifications because the registered number belongs to another family member.
If a child with a disability does not yet have a National Identification (NID) Card, a birth certificate is required along with the guardian's NID. But many guardians still do not have their own NID. Others face delays of months or even years before the cards are issued. For most low-income families, this process becomes almost impossible to complete, but easy to exploit.
A TIB study found that corruption and lobbying further complicate the system. Local representatives have been accused of extortion and bribery while issuing the cards. Some well-connected families have obtained Suborno Nagorik Cards despite having no disability, while genuine applicants are left waiting.
There are also allegations that some registered PWDs fail to receive services, and that informal mediation is often required to access what should be guaranteed entitlements.
A Give Bangladesh study found that although disability allowances are meant to be disbursed monthly, many recipients reported receiving them once every three months as a lump sum, sometimes Tk100–200 short of the promised amount.
Without proper registration, no card can be issued. And, without the card, no allowance follows.
Bringing the golden citizen card within reach
Where government capacities fall short, development organisations can play a crucial role in spreading accurate information about disability registration and allowances within the communities they already serve. They can support families through the online application process, helping bridge the digital and procedural gaps. Organisations such as Friendship and Give Bangladesh have taken initiatives to address this.
The NID registration process itself needs to be simplified and better coordinated with disability identification efforts to ensure that no eligible person is excluded.
Finally, independent monitoring and grievance redressal mechanisms must be established to detect and address bribery, delayed payments, or denial of benefits, ensuring that accountability accompanies access.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we hope that the card meant for Bangladesh's Golden Citizens lives up to its name and its promise.
Dr Sadah Hasan is a public health professional and was a campaign coordinator of Give Bangladesh.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
