Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Nov 4, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a workshop here today unequivocally 
called for making digital services accessible and inclusive for persons with 
disabilities for transforming them into worthy citizens.

Websites, tools, and technologies must be designed to enable people with 
disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute 
to the web.

They made the observation while addressing a dissemination workshop on 
'Accessible Digital Services to advance inclusive, user-friendly citizen-
focused digital services for persons with disabilities (PwDs)' held at the 
conference hall of the District Social Services Complex.
 
The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, the Center for Disability in 
Development (CDD), and CBM Global Disability Inclusion jointly organised the 
workshop.

On the occasion, 50 smart phones were handed over to 10 self-help groups of 
Rajshahi City Corporation and Bagha upazila to enhance digital literacy and 
inclusion for PwDs and to strengthen community-based digital awareness.
 
Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi attended the event as the chief guest with 
Joint Project Director Rashidul Mannaf Kabir in the chair.

Professor Muhammad Rokanujjaman, from the Department of Computer Science and 
Engineering at University of Rajshahi spoke as a focal person disseminating 
his expertise on the issue.

Assistant Director of Department of Social Services Bayazid Hossin Woaresy 
and Cluster Head of a2i Nahid Alam, also spoke.

Representatives from organisations serving PwDs across the division 
participated.

Pledging action and acknowledging a2i's work on assistive technologies and 
inclusive design, Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhtar said, "Digital services are 
truly for all only when everyone can use them. From today, we will treat 
accessibility as a required step in every service." 

She focused on practical improvements that enhance daily life, social 
participation, and access to learning and work.

In his remarks, Rashidul Mannaf Kabir said small changes often remove major 
barriers, pointing out screen-reader incompatibilities, small text, and 
keyboard-navigation issues as common obstacles.

He emphasized that simple fixes not only empower PwDs to use services 
independently but also benefit older adults and first-time users.

Rashidul Kabir affirmed that a2i will support the necessary audits and 
training to ensure citizen-focused services are digitally accessible.
 
As the government's digital transformation arm, a2i is working to make public 
and private platforms easier for people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and 
mobility impairments.

The event gathered lived experiences and actionable recommendations, 
emphasizing the need to expand accessible digital services and technical 
support in remote areas of Rajshahi.

These inputs will inform policy and guide continuous improvements in service 
quality.
 
During his keynote presentation, Accessibility Consultant Vashkar 
Bhattacharjee conducted hands-on reviews of accessibility in the National 
Portal, myGov, and the National Helpline 333.

He assessed non-government platforms, including mobile financial services, 
banking and telecom apps, job sites, and news portals, to identify common 
barriers and potential immediate fixes that could expand access for users 
with diverse needs.