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Introduction
This newsletter is published every six months by the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. BERDO’s mission is to uplift and empower people with disabilities through advocacy and a variety of programs that address their multiple and compounding needs. We appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Mr Md. Saidul Huq by email or by phone at 0088-02-9009451 or 088-02-8060703.
Commentary: The Role of Information Communication Technologies in the Development of Visually Impaired Persons
By Mr Md. Saidul Huq, Executive Director, BERDO
Now-a-days people worldwide are not dependent upon “ancient” communication systems. Once upon a time, people had to rely upon the postal system and hand written letters to send and receive information. At present, this communication system is undergoing a revolutionary change. Now, without any delay, people around the world can access information and communicate with others at any given moment.
Visually impaired people should not remain backwards in this field. It is vital that persons with visual impairment are included in this communications revolution.
We must also be moving forward. With computer usage increasing day by day, visually impaired people must not be deprived of access to these new tools and information. Visually impaired persons must themselves use the computer. Indeed, in this time of information technology visually impaired people will be at a significant competitive disadvantage without modern education that encompasses new ICT. It is not only a matter of education, but it is also a matter of employment and financial self sufficiency.
But all of us know that information technology can help us develop a lot. Now we must recognize that visually impaired persons should not be deprived of access to ICT facilities.
A blind or visually impaired person can launch his own business; business-transactions can be completed by using computers and computer applications. For example, David Blunkett, a visually impaired person and former British Home Secretary, executed his post with the help of a computer and assistive technology. Mrs Takahasi Sinobu, of Japan, also a visually impaired person, is employed as an active worker in Training Division Head Office of JICA. She acts as a coordinator of a leadership training program for persons with disability.
Hasan and Vaskor, two persons with visual impairment, are using computers and internet service for their professions – unfortunately Mr Hasan and Mr Vaskor are among few visually impaired persons to do so. In Bangladesh the number of visually impaired persons is almost two million. Out of this two million, only two to three thousand people are undertaking education. Of these, only 100 to 150 persons have computer training, but out of all as few as 20 to 25 people are now using computers regularly.
It is not only computers, but also other technology like mobile phones with different sophisticated software that may be used by visually impaired people independently. It has been proven that a visually impaired person can complete his or her tasks independently if given the proper equipment.
The solution is clear – and it has already been recognized by many NGOs and policy makers. By providing ICT education and equipment more widely, visually impaired people will be equipped to move ahead in competition with others.
In 2006, the main theme of the International Disability Day was “e-accessibility for disabled people.” In 2003, the First World Summit on the Information Society at Geneva gave their commitment to the right to inclusion in access to information. We must hold this commitment.
In order to successfully achieve more things in this regard, NGOs, business organizations, various government departments, and software companies should work together to help implement information technology related projects for the overall development of the disabled. In partnership, we would be an impressive force.
Already, the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) has introduced a computer literacy center with the support of Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL) to improve the ICT skills of visually impaired persons in order to empower them to achieve. The objective of the center is to ensure their access education and vital information through the internet. As a result, visually impaired students can introduce themselves with new information technology.
Regulation Implementation: In 2002, the government of Bangladesh incorporated ICT policies into several aspects of youth development, agriculture and rural development, among others. But persons with disability were not incorporated into these policies. Visually impaired people, as well as all persons with disabilities, should take shelter in the international ICT movement in order to demand their ICT rights in Bangladesh. It is important to look to disabled people to use their ICT rights. Otherwise the disabled community will certainly fall behind.
Moral Support: To support the implementation of law and regulations, all types of people, organizations, and governments must give moral support to visually impaired people as they work to develop their ICT knowledge. Laws and regulations alone cannot ensure any rights without the moral support of all sectors of society. So let’s have a look – are there any opportunities for persons with visual impairments in our own organizations? If not, how can we make those opportunities available?
Publicity: In the context of Bangladesh, ICT is a fairly new subject for visually impaired people. Since it is so new, it is particularly important to increase awareness about this. Publicity in newspapers and radio or television can make the concept of ICT for persons with disabilities familiar and acceptable among the broader society.
Recommendations: For the development of ICT rights, some recommendations are unveiled below.
News
Flooding throughout South Asia: Monsoon floods brings hardship to Bangladesh
Recent floods across South Asia have affected the lives of an estimated 20 million people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The death toll has risen to 2,000 in recent days. According to Ashvin Dayal, head of Oxfam in South Asia, in a press release from Oxfam on August 9, 2007, “millions of the very poorest have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods.” The monsoon season begins in June and lasts until September, but floods have taken a particularly heavy toll this year.
In Bangladesh alone, some eight million people have been affected and 346 have lost their lives as of August 9. While 41 of the country's 64 districts are affected by floods, the northern districts (Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bogra and Jamalpur) and north-eastern districts (Netrokona, Sunamganj and Sylhet) have been the hardest hit. However, according to a recent situation report published by the government’s Disaster Management Information Centre dated August 9, 2007, “the flood situations continued to improve in the northern districts.”
But while the flood situation may gradually improve, people affected by the flood will continue to experience shortages of food, clean water, shelter, and necessary medicine. According to Dr Marzio Babille in a UNICEF press release on August 7, “stagnant waters left by the floods are a lethal breeding ground for diarrhoeal and waterborne diseases at potentially epidemic levels, skin infections and other public health threats such as malaria, leptospirosis and dengue fever.”
The caretaker government and NGOs in Bangladesh will continue to struggle to address these concerns as time goes on. For the latest updates on the flood situation in Bangladesh, please visit ReliefWeb.
Democracy in Bangladesh: Caretaker government outlines a road map for return to democracy
On July 16, the interim caretaker government laid out their plans for a return to democracy in Bangladesh. Pertinent to BERDO’s work, and to the work other disability rights advocates working in Bangladesh, in the absence of a democratic government many efforts to create a legislative base for the empowerment of disabled individuals have come to a halt. With a road map in place, BERDO is now looking forward to the opportunity to lobby for the adoption of an amendment to the Disability Welfare Act of 2001 to better ensure the rights of disabled individuals in Bangladesh.
The caretaker government assumed control on January 11, 2007 following President Iajuddin Ahmed's resignation and the declaration of a state of emergency. With the aim of preparing for general elections, the caretaker government has banned indoor political activities and undertaken a number of activities, including an extensive anticorruption drive to establish better foundations for holding elections. The announcement on July 16 laid out a timeline for further activities, including preparation of voter roles and electoral reforms.
With elections set for December 2008, the interim caretaker government must take significant steps over the next months to ensure that the nation is prepared for elections. Among these many tasks, preparation of voter roles and photo identification cards has been deemed essential to ensure that elections are free and fair. Complicated by recent flooding, preparation of voter roles is sure to be a challenge. According to the roadmap, the voter list will be complete by October 2008 in advance of the December election.
Amidst these activities, the caretaker government is also taking steps to staunch corruption in the bureaucracy of the country. The Anti-Corruption Commission is trying new cases every day, but many recognize that it will be in creating a political culture free of corruption that success will be found. The ban on indoor politics has yet to be lifted as of August 9, 2007.
The law of particular interest to BERDO is the Disability Welfare Act of 2001. While it is promising that the Act showed awareness among government officials of the needs of persons with disability in Bangladesh, the law lacks an effective mechanism for implementation or a means of assigning responsibility for continued efforts to improve the welfare of disabled Bangladeshis. In partnership with other disability rights advocates in Bangladesh, BERDO is seeking an amendment to the Act so that it will better serve persons with disabilities across the nation.
For the latest news on the political happenings of Bangladesh, please see a local English language newspaper such as the Daily Star. For more information on the Disability Welfare Act of 2001 and the proposed amendment, please contact BERDO.
ICT and Disability: First conference on ICT for disability in Bangladesh held on August 14, 2007 by BERDO, Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) in Dhaka
The following organizations held a one-day conference titled "ICT and Disability: The Context of Bangladesh," as part of the Global Connections and Exchange Project-Bangladesh (implemented with support from the Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the US State Department, HP Foundation, USA and Global Catalyst Foundation, USA)
It was designed to create awareness among development practitioners in Bangladesh about the potentials of ICT in empowering Persons with Disability (PWDs) and to highlight best practices of the use of ICT in enhancing life skills and employability of PWDs in Bangladesh. The conference was held on August 14, 2007 at BRAC Inn, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
NGO representatives, policy makers, supporters and PWDs participated. The key objectives of the conference were:
The conference included both moderated and open discussion on the theme ICT4Disability. A number of development practitioners, eminent citizens and policy makers in Bangladesh presented papers at the seminar and took part in discussion. The seminar was the first of its kind in Bangladesh and was undertaken to showcase ICT based facilities and projects having the potential to empower PWDs with marketable skills.
The organizers believe that the conference raised community awareness about prospects of ICT in empowering PWDs, and generated new, realistic and innovative ideas to integrate ICT in empowering PWDs, and has increased interest in the issue nationally and internationally, while also influencing policy makers to support ICT based initiatives in Bangladesh that promise to empower PWDs.
Organizational: BERDO launches new website
On August 12, 2007 BERDO launched its new website via BracNet’s internet hosting services. The site, www.berdobd.org, is designed to act as a portal for information, opportunities and news related to BERDO. Created with the assistance of Caitlin Burnett, a Peace Fellow of The Advocacy Project stationed with BERDO for the summer, the site increases BERDO’s web presence and is set to significantly broaden the reach of BERDO’s advocacy efforts.
Following on the heels of BERDO’s 16th anniversary and continued service to the disabled community, the launch of the website marks a significant step forward for the organization. With a website BERDO will enjoy the benefits of being connected to shareholders around the globe. Designed for easy access regardless of internet speed or disability, the website is a place where people can learn about BERDO and BERDO’s work, as well as ways that they can help.
The power of Information Communications Technology (ICT) is something that BERDO is quick to recognize. In partnership with Relief International Schools Online (RI-SOL), BERDO has operated a program for visually impaired students to gain computer and ICT skills. In a new partnership with The Advocacy Project, BERDO is working to better utilize ICT to disseminate information and spread its message that disabled people must be considered an asset to society that should be developed.
Profile of Beneficiary: Umme Habiba Chowdhury
Umme Habiba Chowdhury, a 23-year-old young woman from Chittagong District, Bangladesh, is a BERDO scholarship recipient who is completing her law degree at Chittagong University. She is the eldest of four sisters and one brother. All of the sisters are blind, born without proper eyesight due to a genetic problem. While their future is uncertain in that disabled women in Bangladesh often have difficulty securing jobs and getting married, Umme remains hopeful. She says, “many people are disabled or differently-abled, and they need legal aid support. That is what I hope to do with my law degree.”
Like many blind students, Umme faces a number of troubles in school. Braille books, a preciously rare commodity in Bangladesh, are often not available as she tries to complete her work. When they are available, the books are often years out of date, complicating her attempts to keep up with her classmates. Like many visually impaired students, Umme now uses a cassette player with her lessons recorded on tape to study.
In the face of the many hurdles she has overcome, she emphasizes that she is not disabled, but rather “differently-abled.” “I am blind, but I am not disabled,” she says, “I can do the work. I may need more time or different tools, but I can do it. Yes, we are ‘disabled’ by definition but we are able to do the many things that everyone must do.”
In the past, Umme notes that many parents would not bring their disabled children out to public events. This dynamic is changing in her eyes. Community people are beginning to see that disabled individuals are getting an education, traveling, working in NGO’s, and attaining success in myriad ways – the public attitude is changing. Now non-disabled people are friendlier with disabled people, disabled and non-disabled people are getting married. One day, Umme hopes to get married as well.
“In our country, getting an education is difficult for blind people. We often don’t have the tools we need, for example, a Braille library. For this we will need assistance.” She goes on to note that “after graduation, even with an education, we face difficulty getting jobs. Even after the 2001 law which sought to eliminate discrimination in hiring practices, there are often no jobs.”
BERDO currently provides scholarship and job placement support to visually impaired students throughout the country. Among some 40 scholarship recipients this year, Umme will use BERDO’s support to work toward her educational and long-term goals of using law to support disabled individuals in Bangladesh.
Background on BERDO
The Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) was formed on July 17, 1991 with the aim of uplifting the disabled community of Bangladesh. The mission of BERDO is to empower people with disabilities through income generation, leadership development, education, training and treatment facilities to become full members of their community with access to the social mainstream, to increase public awareness about disability issues and facilitate partnership between disabled and non-disabled members of the community; and to prevent disability through medical treatment. Our vision is that individuals with disabilities in Bangladesh will enjoy equal rights and full access to opportunities in the community.
Among BERDOs activities are the following programs:
In addition, BERDO hopes to expand its activities to the printing of Braille books upon the availability of support.
Please see additional information on our “About BERDO” page.
BERDO In the Media
BERDO’s scholarship program receives attention in national newspaper, The Daily Naya Diganta
On July 17, 2007 BERDO celebrated its 16th anniversary with a scholarship distribution event. Some 20 blind and visually impaired students from colleges and universities across Bangladesh joined together to celebrate, receive their scholarships and discuss the many challenges of securing an education as a visually impaired student. With scholarships distributed by Mr Md. Saidul Huq, BERDO’s Executive Director, and Caitlin Burnet, a Peace Fellow from BERDO’s partner organization The Advocacy Project, the event was covered by the national newspaper, the Daily Naya Diganta.
AdvocacyNet, a news service of BERDO’s partner The Advocacy Project, highlights the work of BERDO in “Advocates for the Blind Bring Vision to Impoverished Bangladesh”
July 20, 2007, Barisal, Bangladesh: Early in life, Ruhulamin, 17, suffered from a botched medical procedure that left him almost deaf. Today, he is one of thousands of disabled Bangladeshis who have been empowered by microcredit and accepted as an asset in their communities rather than a liability.
The approach has been pioneered by the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO), an advocacy group whose work is being profiled this summer in the blogs of Caitlin Burnett, a graduate student from American University in Washington, DC. Ms Burnett is volunteering with BERDO as a Peace Fellow of The Advocacy Project (AP). To read more please see the full article.
Japanese support for BERDO’s efforts to assist disabled individuals in Bangladesh highlighted in The Independent, February 21, 2007
Masayuki Inoue, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, signed a grant contract amounting to US$ 88,996 (approximately Taka 60 lakh) with Mr Saidul Huq, Executive Director, Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organisation (BERDO). BERDO was established in 1991 to improve the condition of the disabled community of the country. The grant will be utilized for reconstruction of the "talking library." View the original article at The Independent's website.
Contact Info
This newsletter is produced by the information and advocacy department of BERDO. For more information contact Mr Md. Saidul Huq by email or by phone at 0088-02-9009451. Please also see our newly launched website.
BERDO News #1, August 16, 2007
- Introduction
- Commentary: The Role of Information Communication Technologies in the Development of Visually Impaired Persons
- News
- Flooding throughout South Asia: Monsoon floods brings hardship to Bangladesh
- Democracy in Bangladesh: Caretaker government outlines a road map for return to democracy
- ICT and Disability: First conference on ICT for disability in Bangladesh held on August 14, 2007 by BERDO, Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) in Dhaka
- Organizational: BERDO launches new website
- Profile of Beneficiary: Umme Habiba Chowdhury
- Background on BERDO
- BERDO In the Media
- BERDO’s scholarship program receives attention in national newspaper, The Daily Naya Diganta
- AdvocacyNet, a news service of BERDO’s partner The Advocacy Project, highlights the work of BERDO in “Advocates for the Blind Bring Vision to Impoverished Bangladesh”
- Japanese support for BERDO’s efforts to assist disabled individuals in Bangladesh highlighted in The Independent, February 21, 2007
- Contact Info
Introduction
This newsletter is published every six months by the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. BERDO’s mission is to uplift and empower people with disabilities through advocacy and a variety of programs that address their multiple and compounding needs. We appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Mr Md. Saidul Huq by email or by phone at 0088-02-9009451 or 088-02-8060703.
Commentary: The Role of Information Communication Technologies in the Development of Visually Impaired Persons
By Mr Md. Saidul Huq, Executive Director, BERDO
Now-a-days people worldwide are not dependent upon “ancient” communication systems. Once upon a time, people had to rely upon the postal system and hand written letters to send and receive information. At present, this communication system is undergoing a revolutionary change. Now, without any delay, people around the world can access information and communicate with others at any given moment.
Visually impaired people should not remain backwards in this field. It is vital that persons with visual impairment are included in this communications revolution.
We must also be moving forward. With computer usage increasing day by day, visually impaired people must not be deprived of access to these new tools and information. Visually impaired persons must themselves use the computer. Indeed, in this time of information technology visually impaired people will be at a significant competitive disadvantage without modern education that encompasses new ICT. It is not only a matter of education, but it is also a matter of employment and financial self sufficiency.
But all of us know that information technology can help us develop a lot. Now we must recognize that visually impaired persons should not be deprived of access to ICT facilities.
A blind or visually impaired person can launch his own business; business-transactions can be completed by using computers and computer applications. For example, David Blunkett, a visually impaired person and former British Home Secretary, executed his post with the help of a computer and assistive technology. Mrs Takahasi Sinobu, of Japan, also a visually impaired person, is employed as an active worker in Training Division Head Office of JICA. She acts as a coordinator of a leadership training program for persons with disability.
Hasan and Vaskor, two persons with visual impairment, are using computers and internet service for their professions – unfortunately Mr Hasan and Mr Vaskor are among few visually impaired persons to do so. In Bangladesh the number of visually impaired persons is almost two million. Out of this two million, only two to three thousand people are undertaking education. Of these, only 100 to 150 persons have computer training, but out of all as few as 20 to 25 people are now using computers regularly.
It is not only computers, but also other technology like mobile phones with different sophisticated software that may be used by visually impaired people independently. It has been proven that a visually impaired person can complete his or her tasks independently if given the proper equipment.
The solution is clear – and it has already been recognized by many NGOs and policy makers. By providing ICT education and equipment more widely, visually impaired people will be equipped to move ahead in competition with others.
In 2006, the main theme of the International Disability Day was “e-accessibility for disabled people.” In 2003, the First World Summit on the Information Society at Geneva gave their commitment to the right to inclusion in access to information. We must hold this commitment.
In order to successfully achieve more things in this regard, NGOs, business organizations, various government departments, and software companies should work together to help implement information technology related projects for the overall development of the disabled. In partnership, we would be an impressive force.
Already, the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) has introduced a computer literacy center with the support of Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL) to improve the ICT skills of visually impaired persons in order to empower them to achieve. The objective of the center is to ensure their access education and vital information through the internet. As a result, visually impaired students can introduce themselves with new information technology.
Regulation Implementation: In 2002, the government of Bangladesh incorporated ICT policies into several aspects of youth development, agriculture and rural development, among others. But persons with disability were not incorporated into these policies. Visually impaired people, as well as all persons with disabilities, should take shelter in the international ICT movement in order to demand their ICT rights in Bangladesh. It is important to look to disabled people to use their ICT rights. Otherwise the disabled community will certainly fall behind.
Moral Support: To support the implementation of law and regulations, all types of people, organizations, and governments must give moral support to visually impaired people as they work to develop their ICT knowledge. Laws and regulations alone cannot ensure any rights without the moral support of all sectors of society. So let’s have a look – are there any opportunities for persons with visual impairments in our own organizations? If not, how can we make those opportunities available?
Publicity: In the context of Bangladesh, ICT is a fairly new subject for visually impaired people. Since it is so new, it is particularly important to increase awareness about this. Publicity in newspapers and radio or television can make the concept of ICT for persons with disabilities familiar and acceptable among the broader society.
Recommendations: For the development of ICT rights, some recommendations are unveiled below.
- Arrangement of a fair or exhibition of ICT-related equipment to create awareness and share new technology.
- Employment of visually impaired persons in different organizations.
- Make computer education easier to access for visually impaired people.
- Implement the regulations and laws to ensure that visually impaired people enjoy their ICT rights.
- Ensure that development assistance for ICT is received to serve visually impaired people.
- Supply computer equipment at a discount rate to visually impaired people.
News
Flooding throughout South Asia: Monsoon floods brings hardship to Bangladesh
Recent floods across South Asia have affected the lives of an estimated 20 million people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The death toll has risen to 2,000 in recent days. According to Ashvin Dayal, head of Oxfam in South Asia, in a press release from Oxfam on August 9, 2007, “millions of the very poorest have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods.” The monsoon season begins in June and lasts until September, but floods have taken a particularly heavy toll this year.
In Bangladesh alone, some eight million people have been affected and 346 have lost their lives as of August 9. While 41 of the country's 64 districts are affected by floods, the northern districts (Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bogra and Jamalpur) and north-eastern districts (Netrokona, Sunamganj and Sylhet) have been the hardest hit. However, according to a recent situation report published by the government’s Disaster Management Information Centre dated August 9, 2007, “the flood situations continued to improve in the northern districts.”
But while the flood situation may gradually improve, people affected by the flood will continue to experience shortages of food, clean water, shelter, and necessary medicine. According to Dr Marzio Babille in a UNICEF press release on August 7, “stagnant waters left by the floods are a lethal breeding ground for diarrhoeal and waterborne diseases at potentially epidemic levels, skin infections and other public health threats such as malaria, leptospirosis and dengue fever.”
The caretaker government and NGOs in Bangladesh will continue to struggle to address these concerns as time goes on. For the latest updates on the flood situation in Bangladesh, please visit ReliefWeb.
Democracy in Bangladesh: Caretaker government outlines a road map for return to democracy
On July 16, the interim caretaker government laid out their plans for a return to democracy in Bangladesh. Pertinent to BERDO’s work, and to the work other disability rights advocates working in Bangladesh, in the absence of a democratic government many efforts to create a legislative base for the empowerment of disabled individuals have come to a halt. With a road map in place, BERDO is now looking forward to the opportunity to lobby for the adoption of an amendment to the Disability Welfare Act of 2001 to better ensure the rights of disabled individuals in Bangladesh.
The caretaker government assumed control on January 11, 2007 following President Iajuddin Ahmed's resignation and the declaration of a state of emergency. With the aim of preparing for general elections, the caretaker government has banned indoor political activities and undertaken a number of activities, including an extensive anticorruption drive to establish better foundations for holding elections. The announcement on July 16 laid out a timeline for further activities, including preparation of voter roles and electoral reforms.
With elections set for December 2008, the interim caretaker government must take significant steps over the next months to ensure that the nation is prepared for elections. Among these many tasks, preparation of voter roles and photo identification cards has been deemed essential to ensure that elections are free and fair. Complicated by recent flooding, preparation of voter roles is sure to be a challenge. According to the roadmap, the voter list will be complete by October 2008 in advance of the December election.
Amidst these activities, the caretaker government is also taking steps to staunch corruption in the bureaucracy of the country. The Anti-Corruption Commission is trying new cases every day, but many recognize that it will be in creating a political culture free of corruption that success will be found. The ban on indoor politics has yet to be lifted as of August 9, 2007.
The law of particular interest to BERDO is the Disability Welfare Act of 2001. While it is promising that the Act showed awareness among government officials of the needs of persons with disability in Bangladesh, the law lacks an effective mechanism for implementation or a means of assigning responsibility for continued efforts to improve the welfare of disabled Bangladeshis. In partnership with other disability rights advocates in Bangladesh, BERDO is seeking an amendment to the Act so that it will better serve persons with disabilities across the nation.
For the latest news on the political happenings of Bangladesh, please see a local English language newspaper such as the Daily Star. For more information on the Disability Welfare Act of 2001 and the proposed amendment, please contact BERDO.
ICT and Disability: First conference on ICT for disability in Bangladesh held on August 14, 2007 by BERDO, Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) in Dhaka
The following organizations held a one-day conference titled "ICT and Disability: The Context of Bangladesh," as part of the Global Connections and Exchange Project-Bangladesh (implemented with support from the Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the US State Department, HP Foundation, USA and Global Catalyst Foundation, USA)
- Relief International-Schools Online (RI-SOL)
- Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)
- Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO)
- National Forum of Organizations working with Disabled (NFOWD)
- Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio Communications (BNNRC)
It was designed to create awareness among development practitioners in Bangladesh about the potentials of ICT in empowering Persons with Disability (PWDs) and to highlight best practices of the use of ICT in enhancing life skills and employability of PWDs in Bangladesh. The conference was held on August 14, 2007 at BRAC Inn, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
NGO representatives, policy makers, supporters and PWDs participated. The key objectives of the conference were:
- To create awareness about the ICT based life skill opportunities available for PWDs
- To promote ICT as a means of empowerment for PWDs
- To help develop a network of development oriented organizations who are interested in working in ICT4Disability sector.
The conference included both moderated and open discussion on the theme ICT4Disability. A number of development practitioners, eminent citizens and policy makers in Bangladesh presented papers at the seminar and took part in discussion. The seminar was the first of its kind in Bangladesh and was undertaken to showcase ICT based facilities and projects having the potential to empower PWDs with marketable skills.
The organizers believe that the conference raised community awareness about prospects of ICT in empowering PWDs, and generated new, realistic and innovative ideas to integrate ICT in empowering PWDs, and has increased interest in the issue nationally and internationally, while also influencing policy makers to support ICT based initiatives in Bangladesh that promise to empower PWDs.
Organizational: BERDO launches new website
On August 12, 2007 BERDO launched its new website via BracNet’s internet hosting services. The site, www.berdobd.org, is designed to act as a portal for information, opportunities and news related to BERDO. Created with the assistance of Caitlin Burnett, a Peace Fellow of The Advocacy Project stationed with BERDO for the summer, the site increases BERDO’s web presence and is set to significantly broaden the reach of BERDO’s advocacy efforts.
Following on the heels of BERDO’s 16th anniversary and continued service to the disabled community, the launch of the website marks a significant step forward for the organization. With a website BERDO will enjoy the benefits of being connected to shareholders around the globe. Designed for easy access regardless of internet speed or disability, the website is a place where people can learn about BERDO and BERDO’s work, as well as ways that they can help.
The power of Information Communications Technology (ICT) is something that BERDO is quick to recognize. In partnership with Relief International Schools Online (RI-SOL), BERDO has operated a program for visually impaired students to gain computer and ICT skills. In a new partnership with The Advocacy Project, BERDO is working to better utilize ICT to disseminate information and spread its message that disabled people must be considered an asset to society that should be developed.
Profile of Beneficiary: Umme Habiba Chowdhury
Umme Habiba Chowdhury, a 23-year-old young woman from Chittagong District, Bangladesh, is a BERDO scholarship recipient who is completing her law degree at Chittagong University. She is the eldest of four sisters and one brother. All of the sisters are blind, born without proper eyesight due to a genetic problem. While their future is uncertain in that disabled women in Bangladesh often have difficulty securing jobs and getting married, Umme remains hopeful. She says, “many people are disabled or differently-abled, and they need legal aid support. That is what I hope to do with my law degree.”
Like many blind students, Umme faces a number of troubles in school. Braille books, a preciously rare commodity in Bangladesh, are often not available as she tries to complete her work. When they are available, the books are often years out of date, complicating her attempts to keep up with her classmates. Like many visually impaired students, Umme now uses a cassette player with her lessons recorded on tape to study.
In the face of the many hurdles she has overcome, she emphasizes that she is not disabled, but rather “differently-abled.” “I am blind, but I am not disabled,” she says, “I can do the work. I may need more time or different tools, but I can do it. Yes, we are ‘disabled’ by definition but we are able to do the many things that everyone must do.”
In the past, Umme notes that many parents would not bring their disabled children out to public events. This dynamic is changing in her eyes. Community people are beginning to see that disabled individuals are getting an education, traveling, working in NGO’s, and attaining success in myriad ways – the public attitude is changing. Now non-disabled people are friendlier with disabled people, disabled and non-disabled people are getting married. One day, Umme hopes to get married as well.
“In our country, getting an education is difficult for blind people. We often don’t have the tools we need, for example, a Braille library. For this we will need assistance.” She goes on to note that “after graduation, even with an education, we face difficulty getting jobs. Even after the 2001 law which sought to eliminate discrimination in hiring practices, there are often no jobs.”
BERDO currently provides scholarship and job placement support to visually impaired students throughout the country. Among some 40 scholarship recipients this year, Umme will use BERDO’s support to work toward her educational and long-term goals of using law to support disabled individuals in Bangladesh.
Background on BERDO
The Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) was formed on July 17, 1991 with the aim of uplifting the disabled community of Bangladesh. The mission of BERDO is to empower people with disabilities through income generation, leadership development, education, training and treatment facilities to become full members of their community with access to the social mainstream, to increase public awareness about disability issues and facilitate partnership between disabled and non-disabled members of the community; and to prevent disability through medical treatment. Our vision is that individuals with disabilities in Bangladesh will enjoy equal rights and full access to opportunities in the community.
Among BERDOs activities are the following programs:
- Talking Library – producing and disseminating “talking books” for students and individuals with visual impairment.
- Medical Center – providing accessible medical services to prevent disability.
- Scholarship – supporting the educational endeavors of students with disabilities.
- Job Placement – generating jobs for workers with disabilities.
- The School of Happy World – providing Braille education to visually impaired children.
- The School of Information and Technology for the Visually Impaired – developing computer skills in visually impaired persons.
- Rehabilitation Program for the Disabled – facilitating community dialogue between individuals with disabilities and non-disabled persons and providing training to people with disabilities, family members, teachers and community leaders to further understanding of disability issues among community members, while also facilitating income generating opportunities.
In addition, BERDO hopes to expand its activities to the printing of Braille books upon the availability of support.
Please see additional information on our “About BERDO” page.
BERDO In the Media
BERDO’s scholarship program receives attention in national newspaper, The Daily Naya Diganta
On July 17, 2007 BERDO celebrated its 16th anniversary with a scholarship distribution event. Some 20 blind and visually impaired students from colleges and universities across Bangladesh joined together to celebrate, receive their scholarships and discuss the many challenges of securing an education as a visually impaired student. With scholarships distributed by Mr Md. Saidul Huq, BERDO’s Executive Director, and Caitlin Burnet, a Peace Fellow from BERDO’s partner organization The Advocacy Project, the event was covered by the national newspaper, the Daily Naya Diganta.
AdvocacyNet, a news service of BERDO’s partner The Advocacy Project, highlights the work of BERDO in “Advocates for the Blind Bring Vision to Impoverished Bangladesh”
July 20, 2007, Barisal, Bangladesh: Early in life, Ruhulamin, 17, suffered from a botched medical procedure that left him almost deaf. Today, he is one of thousands of disabled Bangladeshis who have been empowered by microcredit and accepted as an asset in their communities rather than a liability.
The approach has been pioneered by the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO), an advocacy group whose work is being profiled this summer in the blogs of Caitlin Burnett, a graduate student from American University in Washington, DC. Ms Burnett is volunteering with BERDO as a Peace Fellow of The Advocacy Project (AP). To read more please see the full article.
Japanese support for BERDO’s efforts to assist disabled individuals in Bangladesh highlighted in The Independent, February 21, 2007
Masayuki Inoue, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, signed a grant contract amounting to US$ 88,996 (approximately Taka 60 lakh) with Mr Saidul Huq, Executive Director, Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organisation (BERDO). BERDO was established in 1991 to improve the condition of the disabled community of the country. The grant will be utilized for reconstruction of the "talking library." View the original article at The Independent's website.
Contact Info
This newsletter is produced by the information and advocacy department of BERDO. For more information contact Mr Md. Saidul Huq by email or by phone at 0088-02-9009451. Please also see our newly launched website.
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