The third radio talk show organized by Relief International focused on a very important aspect of human rights, which are the rights of people with disabilities. Mr. AHM Noman Khan( Director, Center for Disability & Development (CDD), and Mr.Vashkar Vattacharya(Programme Manager , Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)  appeared as guest speakers on the show and  shared their valuable insight on the topic., while Ms. Sayema Chowdhury, Deputy Manager, Disability& Enabling Environment Theme, Actionaid Bangladesh moderated the discussion. The show was aired on 31^st March 2011 on Radio Foorti,  a nationally broadcast radio channel.

This show was particularly inspiring to all the targeted audience as the guest speakers’ discussion did not merely consist of theories and possible courses of action, but recounted their actual experiences ,where they had successfully introduced revolutionary methods to empower people with special needs and disabilities . In recognition for his outstanding contribution to the field of promoting disability rights and community participation, Mr. Khan has recently been presented with one of the most prestigious awards in Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2010 for Community Leadership. Reflecting upon his consistent hard work to promote this cause, Mr. Khan stressed that physically challenged individuals have as much right to avail all public and private services as other individuals, therefore all members of the community must address their needs and make provisions which will ensure that all structures, services, developments and the like are easily accessible to physically challenged individuals. He explained that there  must be a law that makes these provisions mandatory, and also appreciated all current laws which address special needs of individuals.

He also lauded the achievements of fellow guest speaker Mr.Vashkar Vattacharya, who , in spite of being visually challenged, has managed to promote disability rights on a large scale and has also excelled in his career. Both Ms. Chowdhury and Mr. Khan appreciated the fact that Mr. Vattacharya has not only managed a successful career of his own, but his work has helped many other visually challenged individuals . All speakers discussed that the general mass can learn from these achievements, and come forward to ensure that physically challenged individuals have access to the same facilities as all others.

All speakers explained that Information and Communication technology has played a crucial role in empowering those with special needs. Mr. Vattacharya explained that through the help of the organization Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), visually challenged individuals are trained every week on use of computers. He proudly explained that all the students of YPSA learn how to execute all applications on the computers, and other people with special needs can do the same if they engage in similar trainings and if the society carries out more programs to assist physically challenged individuals. Moreover, he explained how he and his fellow programmers function as content developers for the government’s site and develop  audio content and programs which make the site accessible to all, and which are in sync with the government’s vision of achieving a “Digital Bangladesh”.

The discussion highlighted how all efforts directed at promoting disability rights, however small or insignificant they may appear can have a substantial positive impact on the community. From recording lectures for visually challenged classmates, to ensuring elevators are accessible at the ground floors of all buildings, all minor gestures can together help to shape up a brighter future for our community.

The show ended with the speakers’ appreciation about the general public’s interest, enthusiasm and cooperation to promote disability rights in Bangladesh. RI appreciates the useful information presented by the guest speakers and moderator, and believes that the program has played an important role in generating mass awareness about disability rights.

To listen to the recorded version of the radio talk show, Download.