BPKS Complex Block-B

BPKS Conference Room

In 1985, under leadership of its founder, BPKS was only an organization of all types of disabled people starting with lots of enthusiasm that created a disabled people’s movement demanding their dignity, access to public services and private sectors’ opportunities, promoting active participation of them in all levels and human rights of persons with disabilities. BPKS gradually became with its leadership in nationally and internationally well-known activist of disabled people’s human rights and instrumentally contributed.

BPKS asserts that the rights of the disabled person are to be established at any costs, and that they get nothing less than equal opportunity compared to non-disabled person. BPKS’ development program strategy from beginning deal with promotion of equality and equity for disabled women, men and children. BPKS believes that the concepts of self-initiatives, self-actualization, accessibility, disabled people development and their organizations representative participation to any legal facilities/systems are fundamental to achieve the real rights of disabled persons. BPKS affirms that the success of persons with disabilities can exert positive influence on the advancement of the entire society and to actualize and accelerate the overall development of societies/nations.

1993 was the turning point for disabled people movement in Bangladesh as first DPI regional leadership training seminar was held in Bangladesh with representatives from 45 country participate and disabled people organization management training in Bangladesh was held with 16 country representatives, both are hosted by BPKS and supported by Bangladesh Government, JICA, DPI and UNESCAP. For the first time, disabled people issues were viewed by governments as human rights and development issues rather than charity/medical.

Significant results have been achieved by BPKS both prior to and since the introduction of the PSID program in 1996. Prior to 1996, about 20,000 disabled persons benefited directly from the activities and services of BPKS. Since 1996, introduction of PSID (Persons with Disabilities Self-Initiative to Development), the programs under PSID approach have been implemented in 33 districts of Bangladesh, resulting in a demonstrable improvement in the lives of Bangladeshis with disabilities. 2000 grassroots disabled peoples’ organizations have been established with more than 41,000 disabled persons as direct members of those organizations. As BPKS believe ownership of disabled persons, it gradually established 23 Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and localized across Bangladesh as they are now fully independent and the government-recognized entities. BPKS also facilitated from 2003 with full financial supports OPDs all over Bangladesh by formation and continuation of a OPDs networking body, NADPO (National Alliance of Disabled People’s Organizations) in 2005 to organize 1st ever largest congregation of disabled people in 2006 and 2010 in Bangladesh and in the world. From 1996 BPKS promote Women with Disabilities (WwDs) movement and it also facilitated from with full financial and technical supports formed a WwDs organization namely the Women with Disability Development Foundation (WDDF) in 2007 and today it is separately functioning in country as an independent organization.

BPKS incentives supports (for example capital supports) directly change lives at least 250,000 people with disabilities, by indirect supports (for example teachers, journalists and religious leaders received training) with or without disabilities minimum 550,000 persons, 550 advocacy meeting conducted with all authorities of Bangladesh including President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliament Members, Secretaries, different Commissions including Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) etc. and share specific proposal in the meetings. About 100 national level events including seminar and dialogue were organized, more than 300 television program broadcast mostly in BTV, ATN, MY TV and others. BPKS believe due to its work, 80% of total population somewhat aware on disability, persons with disabilities rights and their development needs. The perception and acceptance regarding persons with disabilities, women with disabilities rights and development among the leaders, policy makers, development partners, professionals and general citizens of the country improve positively.

Seminar on Women with Disabilities

Due to organizational existence of BPKS, and its performance contribute increasingly to elimination of unacceptable and unethical concept, discrimination, inhuman work, barriers and lack of fundamental rights. It also grows attention among all people in terms of prioritizing the democratic values, governance system and political practice. Specific outcome of BPKS is increasingly actualizing development process, improving responsible parties understanding and roles that promote acceptability and recognition to all citizens including persons with disabilities. It also contributes in changing thoughts and policies on/about of all including persons with disabilities.

BPKS worked with partnership and cooperation from beginning that not limited to Bangladesh Government, organizations/agencies in the world such as – Netherlands Embassy, Bread for the World (BftW), UN agencies, ActionAid, CBM, AusAid, BPKS Japan, USAID, International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)-USA, Human Rights Institutes, International Labor Organization (ILO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN bodies, Universities such as Begum Rokeya and Independent University in Bangladesh, York University in Canada, Oregon and Touro University in USA, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), Workability International, Disabled People’s International (DPI), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Caritas, European Union (EU), AECID, CIVES MUNDI, Oxfam, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Business Companies, David Banes Access, and Inclusion Services Ltd and many others. Similarly, BPKS contributed with its expertise and available resources to many international and local organizations, including Bangladesh Government, local OPDs and CSO’s.

As BPKS and its leadership contribution are instrumental, BPKS leadership received many awards including ‘UNESCAP Disability Rights Champion’ and BPKS is recognized by the many including United States Department of State.