PRESS RELEASE: A ‘Dissemination Workshop on Accessible Digital Services’ was held today at the District Social Services Complex to advance inclusive, user-friendly citizen-focused digital services for persons with disabilities (PwDs). The event was jointly organized by the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, the Center for Disability in Development (CDD), and CBM Global Disability Inclusion.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Afia Akhtar attended as Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Md. Rokanujjaman, Chairman, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Rajshahi, and Md Bayazid Hossin Woaresy, Assistant Director, Rajshahi District Social Services Office, joined as Special Guests. Md Rashidul Mannaf Kabir, Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary), a2i, chaired the workshop. Md Nahid Alam, Cluster Head, Center of Innovation, a2i and Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Accessibility Consultant, facilitated the technical sessions, with Anika Rahman Lipy, Assistant Director, CDD, moderating. Representatives from organizations serving PwDs across the division participated.
Participants conducted hands-on reviews of accessibility in the National Portal, myGov, and the National Helpline 333, and 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.
Explaining the concept of digital accessibility, Nahid Alam stated that websites, tools, and technologies must be designed to enable people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the web. He noted that a2i is the only organization in Bangladesh to ensure digital accessibility for PwDs and is committed to translating that mandate into sustained, practical results.
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.”
Md Rashidul Mannaf Kabir added that small changes often remove major barriers. He pointed to screen-reader incompatibilities, small text, and keyboard-navigation issues as common obstacles and emphasized that simple fixes not only empower PwDs to use services independently but also benefit older adults and first-time users. He affirmed that a2i will support the necessary audits and training to ensure citizen-focused services are digitally accessible.
To enhance digital literacy and inclusion for PwDs and to strengthen community-based digital awareness, 50 smartphones were handed over to 10 self-help groups of Rajshahi City Corporation and Bagha Upazila during the inaugural session of the event.
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 workshop focused on practical improvements that enhance daily life, social participation, and access to learning and work. 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.
NEWS FROM Md Rifat Islam. Communications and External Relations. Government of Bangladesh & UNDP Bangladesh. #
