Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, addressed an event at the BIDA Auditorium in the city’s Agargaon. Photo: a2i

DHAKA, May 21, 2026 (BSS) - Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, has said that ensuring equal access to digital services for persons with disabilities is one of the government’s key priorities.

He made the remark while addressing an event organized as part of the celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2026 today, said a ministry press release.  

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) organized an event at the BIDA Auditorium in the city’s Agargaon with Friendship and Sightsavers as co-organizer.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said accessible websites and apps have been developed keeping in mind the principle that no one should be left behind. 

“From now on, all digital services will be designed considering the needs of persons with disabilities. Because this is not a matter of charity; we see it as their right,” he said.

He added,“Technology must be aligned with people’s needs, abilities and diversity.”

He further said, “Through new technologies, we want to connect persons with disabilities more actively with the mainstream of society.” 

The minister continued, “We want to turn the children of our country with disabilities into assets. The ICT Division will take all necessary steps to ensure a dignified position for persons with disabilities in society through technology.”

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 the event as special guests. 

Valerie Ann Taylor, Founder of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), attended as guest of honour. 

With ICT Division secretary Quazi Anowar Hossain in te chair, Md. Abdur Rofiq, Project Director of a2i, delivered the welcome remarks. 

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

Farzana Sharmin said the government will provide full support for the growth of public and private institutions and innovative initiatives that contribute to digital accessibility.

Ensuring universal accessibility is essential to building a Bangladesh for all, he said, adding that the government is working so that all citizens, including persons with disabilities, can easily access digital services.

Quazi Anowar Hossain said Bangladesh’s digital progress will only be complete when every citizen can use digital services with dignity, independence and equality. 

To achieve this, government institutions, development partners, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, technology innovators and the private sector must work together in a coordinated manner, he added.

Faqir Mahbub Anam visited various innovators’ stalls set up around disability-friendly innovations in the morning, while Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, visited them in the afternoon. 

After visiting the stalls, they expressed appreciation for the innovations and highlighted the government’s goodwill and commitment to building an inclusive Bangladesh for all. 

Other guests and senior officials from the relevant organizations were also present.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is observed worldwide every year on the third Thursday of May with an aim to make websites, mobile apps, 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 ensuring digital inclusion. 

At the same time, digital accessibility is receiving importance under the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act and the government’s policy priorities.