DHAKA, May 20, 2022, (BSS) - The Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

was observed on Thursday for the first time in Bangladesh with a view to getting
everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion
and people with different disabilities.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and the Access to Information (a2i) organised
a programme at Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) auditorium in the city's
Agargaon area marking the day, said a press release.

State Minister for Social Welfare Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru was present at the
event as the chief guest there.

Senior Secretary of Information and Communications Technology Division N M
Ziaul Alam, Deputy Resident Representative-UNDP Bangladesh Van Nguyen and
Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Team Captain Mohammad Mohsin were present as
special guests at the programme presided over by Project Director (Joint
Secretary) of a2i Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir.

During the time, BCC's e-learning platform 'Emporia', a2i's e-learning
platform 'MuktoPaath', online job portal 'Bdjobs' and Bangladesh Association
of Software and Information Services (BASIS) were given citation for ensuring
the access to the website for persons with disabilities.

Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, in his speech, assured that the Ministry of Social
Welfare would extend its full support for the observance of the day every
year from now on to increase the awareness about inclusive digital access for
persons with disabilities.

The GAAD launched on May in 2012. It was inspired by a blog post from
November 2011 by Los Angeles-based web developer Joe Devon.

The day is marked annually on the third Thursday of May.