The rights based work of ADD Bangladesh is spread over half of the country creating a vibrant disability movement from the grassroots to the national level.
ADD works by supporting disabled people at grassroots level in 32 districts to campaign for their rights and to link and bring together disabled people in other districts. ADD initially provides funding to the grassroots disabled people's organisations. When they are confident enough ADD then provides training and support in order for them to approach other donors and reduce dependency of disabled people's organisations on ADD.
During 2008 ADD Bangladesh implemented a programme called – Rights, Justice & Disability funded by Manusher Jonno Foundation, CEC, Cordaid, Cafod, and ADD UK. In 2008 ADD has started to work in partnership with 79 disabled people's organisations, provided grants to implement rights based work and supporting the disability movement.
Major advocacy activities carried out during the year included: 4th National disability convention, Day observation, media campaign, campaign for amendment and implementation of Disability Welfare Act (DWA), campaign on disability inclusive Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, meeting and workshop with education institutes, area meeting with drama show and a seat reservation campaign.
The National Grassroots Disabled Organisation (NGDO) and the National Council of Disabled Women (NCDW) began work as a platform of disabled people against discrimination and violence. Both organisations became members of the Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) and campaigned for the implementation and amendment of Disability Welfare Act (DWA) in line with UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), disability-friendly national budget and inclusive education for children with disabilities.
In 2008 the government committed to reviewing the existing Disability Welfare Act to capture the spirit of UNCRPD.
Updated August 2009.
ADD Bangladesh 2006 - 2007 Annual Report