PRESS RELEASE: With the belief that engineering students are the driving force for developing inclusive digital technology for persons with disabilities (PwDs), a day-long workshop on “Digital Accessibility” was held today at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), University of Rajshahi. The event was organized by the Disability Innovation Lab of Aspire to Innovate (a2i), with support from the university authorities.
The opening session was attended by Professor Dr. Md. Abu Reza, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell; Professor Dr. Md. Rokunuzzaman, Chair of the CSE Department; and Professor Halida Homyara, Chair of the Department of Information and Communication Engineering, among others. The training was conducted by Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Accessibility Consultant at a2i.
Vashkar said, “When students understand the idea of inclusive technology through hands-on practice, their perspective changes. They learn to see technology not just as code or software, but as a tool that affects people’s lives. The participants today worked with that mindset, which will guide them toward disability-friendly, inclusive innovation in the future.”
Participants received hands-on instruction on international standards, inclusive design principles, and practical techniques for building accessible and user-friendly websites, mobile apps, and digital content for persons with disabilities.
Jannatul Ferdous, a fourth-year student, said, “We learned crucial aspects of accessibility in technology through practical exercises today. I will use this guidance to build my skills further.”
Addressing the students, Professor Reza said, “Training like this will open new opportunities in your professional life. Technology companies around the world are prioritizing accessibility in their services.”
Professor Homyara said, “Equal opportunities for persons with disabilities are essential to the transformation toward an inclusive Bangladesh.
Initiatives like this will help build accessibility-aware human resources and make the country’s digital services more inclusive. In the future, it will also create opportunities for broader research and innovation through joint initiatives of a2i and the University of Rajshahi. At the same time, we will incorporate accessibility topics into our department’s curriculum with special emphasis.”
Professor Rokunuzzaman said, “Students must ensure that the digital products and systems they create are accessible to everyone. Today’s workshop inspires them to build that capability.”
NEWS FROM Md Rifat Islam. Communications and External Relations. Government of Bangladesh & UNDP Bangladesh. #
