BSS-55 Bangladeshi disabilities activist receives UNESCO award

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BANGLADESHI-UNESCO-AWARD

Bangladeshi disabilities activist receives UNESCO award

DHAKA, Dec 10, 2018 (BSS) – Vashkar Bhattacharjee, a visually impaired Bangladeshi national, was awarded the UNESCO prize for digital empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Vashkar Bhattacharjee, who is working as National Consultant for Accessibility at a2i supported by ICT Division, UNDP Bangladesh and USAID, said a press release here today.

The award titled “Emir Jaber al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” (2018/2019) carries a monetary prize of USD 20,000 and was given to him in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the empowerment of persons with disabilities through the application of ICT to access information and knowledge.

Sheikh Mubarak Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the representative of the Kuwaiti government handed over the Prize to him at a ceremony organised in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at UNESCO Headquarters on December 3.

Chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism and a Member of WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health Saima Wazed Hossain attended the award ceremony.

She also participated as a discussant at the Roundtable “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” held on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at UNESCO. Hossain also served on the Jury Board of the Prize.

Taking part in the discussion, Hossain noted that fundamental obstacle in addressing challenges to disability is changing the mindset of people, breaking the norms of working in isolation and engaging in dialogue in the society amongst all stakeholders including the people with disabilities.

In his speech, Vashkar said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us a dream of Digital Bangladesh and we are now transforming it into reality and making inclusive and barrier free ICT environment for the people with disability.”

He is credited for successfully developing Bangladesh’s first Accessible Dictionary (accessibledictionary.gov.bd) in 4 forms, dedicated to persons with visual, print and learning disabilities.

Vashkar also served for “Young Power in Social Action, a registered NGO based in Chattogram.

In 2016, Bhattacharjee received a national award from the Prime Minister for his contribution for people with disability using digital technology.

This is the first time ever that Bangladeshi has received this prestigious award. The Prize created in 2002 and supported by the State of Kuwait is given in individual and organisational category every two years in recognition of contribution for the promotion of quality education and raise awareness about the right to education of persons with disabilities.

Tencent, a private sector enterprise from China was the recipient of the Prize in organisational category.

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