Bangladesh,Part 1
ASIAN AND PACIFC DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS,1993-2002
TASK FORCE BANGLADESH REPORT
EVALUATION OF "NATIONAL COORDINATION" AGENDA
Submitted to
Ms. Siriporn Chinaporntham
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Coordinator,'National Coordination',Goodwill Industries,Thailand schina@hotmail.com
&,Dr. Hisao Sato
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Research Coordinator,Regional NGO Network Secretariat,hisao.sato@jcsw.ac.jp
Submitted by
Ahsan Habib,Assistant Director,Personnel & Finance Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)
Member-Secretary,'National Coordination' Bangladesh Task Force,crp@bangla.net
16 OCTOBER 2002
Member-Secretary
Ahsan Habib,Assistant Director (Personnel & Finance),CRP
Members
Md. Nurun Nabi Talukder,Senior Assistant Secretary,
Ministry of Social Welfare,People's Republic of Bangladesh
M. Saidur Rahman,Deputy Director,Jatiyo Protibandhi Unnayan Foundation
Md. Shahidul Haque,Executive Director
Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV)
Wasimur Rahman Tonmoy,Policy Analyst
National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD)
Muhammad Mushfiqul Wara,Research and Evaluation Officer
Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)
Ashrafun Nahar Misti,Assistant Coordinator
Bangladesh Pratibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Regional NGO Network Task Force Report Bangladesh on Evaluation of "National Coordination" Agenda for Action for the Asian & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,1993-2002 was an activity involving different levels of stakeholders; The RNN Secretariat,Task Force Coordinator,Task Forces members based in different organizations within Bangladesh i.e. Government Ministries and agencies,NGOs working for and with the disabled,Disabled people's organizations,Self-help organizations etc.
We would like to offer our gratitude to the RNN Research Coordinator,Dr. Hisao Sato,who gracefully took the responsibility of coordinating the evaluation and forwarded us invaluable guiding notes from his office. We gratefully thank to Ms. Siriporn Chinaporntham for kindly supporting us in this activity by regularly communicating and giving us regular feedback. We also gratefully thank all the Task Force Members from who gave their valuable time and intellect in this activity. We thank their authorities to allow them adequate time for the evaluation work. All our gratitude goes to everyone who gave their time for interviews,and discussions necessary for this report.
We especially thank Ms. Valerie A. Taylor,Coordinator and Mr. A K M Momin Director of CRP for their encouragement and allowing time to some CRP staff members for this evaluation.
Our final and very special thanks go to Mr. Muhammad Mushfiqul Wara who assisted us with technical support throughout this evaluation process.
With thanks.
On behalf of all members
Ahsan Habib,Member-Secretary
Task Force Bangladesh,'National Coordination'
TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
As it was decided at the General Meeting at Hanoi that the Task Force activities review the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons will be started. Following,the RNN organized 13 Task Forces corresponding to the 12 policy areas of the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade including "Woman with Disabilities" as a new Agenda for Action for the Decade 1993-2002.
The mission of the Task Forces is to make a RNN Task Force Report for the following:
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To evaluate the progresses of the Decade in each RNN country / area by NGOs;
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To identify the issues and problems of each country / area and Asian and Pacific region for the Full Participation and Equality of people with Disability;
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To propose a future action plan for the regional cooperation as post- decade Actions of both NGOs and GOs.
It was also stated that the Task Force Report would be submitted to the End ? Year Campaign 2002 in Osaka (Osaka Forum),Japan on October 21-23. Also through an NGO input,the report will be presented to the ESCAP High - Level Intergovernmental Meeting on Asian and Pacific Decade on October 25-28 in shiga,Japan.
Therefore,the RNN secretariat asked the National Member of RNN to nominate their Task Force Members,who will prepare country report and evaluations and cooperate with other TF members for regional review. Those interested in participating in TFs were therefore requested to join as an organization as this research is conducted by RNN.
Accordingly in the area of National Coordination Ms. Siriporn Chinaporntham Thailand was nominated as the coordinator,and Mr. Ahsan Habib of CRP was nominated as a Member-Secretary of this Task Force in Bangladesh. Following a seven- member Task Force committee was formed involving the Go and NGO including Self- Help and women with disabilities.
This current research has been undertaken as the second mission of the Task forces as spelled out by the secretariat of the RNN.
Following the above-mentioned arrangement of RNN,this report on evaluation of National Coordinator has been prepared.
METHODOLOGY
Following a guideline form the Research Coordinator Mr. Hisao Sato of the RNN secretariat a meeting was organized on 19th May 2002 at Dhaka with representative form Go-B and NGOs working with the Disabled,Self?help organizations of the disabled and Woman with disabilities. A seven?member Task Force was formed to carry out the evaluation activity on 'National Coordination' Agenda for Action for the Asian & Pacific Decade of the Disabled Persons 1993-2002.
The Task Force Members agreed on a questionnaire,which included rating against an activity of the target,narrative statement against the rating,problems / issues of implementation of the target,narrative statement against the rating,problems / issues of implementation of the target activity,and suggestions for the future action plan. The questionnaire was developed upon the Agenda for Action on 11 targets of the National Coordination. Further the targets were set to evaluate on a 4-point scale as following.
- 0 = no or few measures have been taken
- 1 = slightly implemented
- 2 = fairly implement,and
- 3 = fully or nearly fully implemented.
In this method,narrative descriptions were asked form the responding organizations against each target activity area along with rating of level of implementation of the targets of the Agenda for National Coordination,with an anticipation that this would be helpful to form a common understanding among the Task Force Members for this specific study.
This questionnaire was decided to be administered through physical interviews and by postage,email and fax. Questionnaires with covering letters were sent to the 12 Government Ministries/ Departments,7 Deputy Commissioner's offices,7 Upazilla / Sub- district Executive offices,and 50 NGOs working with the Disabled persons,as was decided by the Task Force Members Meeting.
The results of this evaluation were decided to put together to provide a general picture according to each of the target activity for the Agenda of National Force Members involved in this evaluation.
The Task Force Member conscientiously agreed to follow the Content of Country NGO report with future plan of action as suggested. The results of the questionnaire was derived through an analysis of data collected / returned to the Task Force Members office based at CRP,Savar,Dhaka. Later,on 10th July 2002,a meeting was held at the NFOWD office where the findings of the Country NGO report incorporated the data from all 170 NGOs of the country that appeared in the Country Report. This has eventually increased the capacity of the Country NGO Report to predict the future action plan,and could be used as a reference point for further use.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Due to time constraint not all concerned ministries could feasible for interviews with the questionnaire,and also the data collection month being in the month of June,which was the busiest month for organizations including government ministries / departments and NGOs. This hampered adequate amount of data collection for the evaluation.
Since only government ministries / departments were decided for physical data collection including some NGOs of reach within the deadline,most of the NGOs were asked to return the filled in questionnaire,and which was developed in English language,which may have limited the expressions of responding organizations.
The narrative section was limited to 25 words for ease of analysis within the dead line,which also may have limited the expressions of detailed reasons against the ratings generated for each activity to the target area.
RESULTS
In the first phase,16 government offices including 3 ministries,and 31 NGOs responded to the evaluation questionnaire. These data was compared with the Country Report and necessary modifications were incorporated,since the country report included data of all 170 NGOs. The results of the evaluation are given according to target areas covered under Agenda for Action on National Coordination.
| Target 1.1 | ||||||
| To Establish and strengthen a national coordination committee (NCC) on disability concerns with an appropriate mechanism to ensure its accountability to the legislature or head of government to promote a multi-sectoral approach to the implementation of the Agenda for Action for the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,1993-2002,and with representation at the policy making level of all state/provincial and district government agencies,substantial representation in non-government organizations (NGOs),including self-help organizations of disabled persons,parents' organizations of people with intellectual disabilities and women with disabilities,as well as with adequate allocation of resources. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Establishment and strengten a NCC |
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* | The National Coordination Committee (NCC) has been established under legislation 'Disability Welfare Act (DWA) 2001' in November 2001 under leadership of the Ministry of Social Welfare of the People's Republic of Bangladesh as a statutory body and the previously established structure of 1993 has been strengthened following the DWA.In the recent years the NCC has been increasingly represented by GO,NGOs including SHOs,PwD,and WwDs. | |
| b. Representation of government ministries / departments,and government agencies in NCC |
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* |
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There are representations of Government Ministries at the policy making level,that is led by the Ministry of Social Welfare,the line ministries intervene in the areas of health,education,accessibility and legislation totaling 16 ministries. However still some relevant ministries are not represented in the NCC,for example,Ministry of Information. | |
| c. Representation of District government agencies at the policy making level. |
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* |
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Representation of district levels in the NCC has been made legal and 50% of all district level committee formation have been completed and the rest are on the process of formation,yet many district level government agencies are not actively participating in the policy making level. | |
| d. Representation of NGOs in policy making level (i) Self- Help organizations of disabled persons. |
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* |
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There is a reasonable representation of NGOs,including SHOs of disabled people in the NCCs in Bangladesh. There are representations of NGOs including self-help organizations in the NCC. | |
| (ii) Parents organizations of people with intellectual disabilities. |
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* |
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All Parents' group of disabilities are not appropriately represented in the policy making level. | |
| (iii) Women with disability | * |
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Organizations of women with disabilities are not represented in the policy making level. | |
| e. Adequate allocation of resources for NCC |
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* |
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The Social Welfare Council under the Ministry of Social Welfare provided some funding to programs relating to disability. Recently the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled Persons was initiated with a considerable financial contribution from the Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare to support disabled people and organizations working for them,interest from investment of which is being used for development of disabled persons that is evaluated as inadequate. | |
| Issues / problem faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) There is requirement for involving some relevant ministries in the coordination committee. District level government agencies need to accelerate formation of coordination committees,involvement of NGOs including self- help parents' organizations,parents organizations of people with intellectual disabilities,and organizations of women with need more representation in the national coordination committee. Hence,the achievement of the implementation of the target of the national coordination committee is slower than expected. | ||||||
| (ii) Lack of adequate allocation of resources for functioning of the national coordination committee. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The national plan of action with specific time frame should be established immediately with initiative form the National Coordination Committee. | ||||||
| (ii) The representation in the Coordination Committee of the ministerial,district and sub- district level government agencies,and NGO including Self- Help organizations,parent's group of persons with intellectual disabilities,and women with disabilities should be further strengthened. | ||||||
| (iii) Adequate resources should be allocated to NCC for its appropriate functioning. | ||||||
| Target 1.2 | ||||||
| To establish and strengthen an executive committee with appropriate representation from state/provincial governments,ministries and government agencies,NGOs including self-help organizations of people with disabilities,parents' organizations of people with intellectual disabilities and women with disabilities,to ensure timely follow up and monitoring of the implementation of the NCC decisions,and to facilitate its functioning. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Establish and strengthen an executive committee |
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* | The Government founded an executive committee 'National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled Persons' under leadership the Ministry of Social Welfare of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh in 2001. According to DWA the foundation is the secretariat of the executive committee of the NCC. | |
| b. Representation of government ministries and agencies |
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* | In Bangladesh representations of GO ministries and departments at the executive committee has been included. However there is a notion among service providers that some relevant ministries are left out,for example the Ministry of Information that is very crucial in circulation. | |
| c. NGOs representation including (i) Self help organizations of people with disabilities. |
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* |
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Organizations of disabled people are represented in the executive committees,for example the self-help groups of disabled people. | |
| (ii) Parent's organizations of people with intellectual disabilities. |
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* |
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Parents' organizations are not appropriately represented in the executive committee. | |
| (iii) Women with disability | * |
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Organizations of Woman with Disabilities are not represented in the executive committee. | |
| d. Timely follow up and monitoring of the implementation of the NCC decisions |
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* | Regular meetings of the NCC take place that is evaluated as effective measures for monitoring of the implementation of NCC decisions. | |
| Issues / problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) Lack of appropriate representation form government ministries,NGOs including self- help groups,parents' organizations of intellectually disabled,women with disabilities etc. Methods of selection of NGOs for representation in the executive committee do not include all types of disability. | ||||||
| (ii) Lack of adequate resources for effective functioning of executive committee. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) Appropriate representation form all concerned ministries should be ensured,also an appropriate method of selection of NGOs for representation the executive committee needs to be undertaken. | ||||||
| (ii) The action plan of the executive committee should have provision for regular follow up and monitoring of activities,with clear roles and responsibilities. | ||||||
| (iii) Adequate resources should be allocated for effective functioning of the national executive committee. | ||||||
| Target 1.3 | ||||||
| To establish coordination and executive structures at the sub-national level with adequate means of participation by grass roots groups and bodies. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Establish coordination and executive structures at the sub-national level |
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* |
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In Bangladesh committees at the district level have been set up headed by the respective deputy commissioner,although many district level committees are in the process of formation | |
| b. Means of participation of grass roots groups and bodies |
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* |
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.In most cases,issue of government notification is all the effort to establish coordination and executive structures at the district levels. About 50% district level committees have been formed. District level committees are comprised of representatives of government departments and NGOs working with the disability issues,who are responsible for identification,registration of people with disabilities and these organizations take initiatives for coordination of disability interventions at district levels | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) There was not adequate monitoring/ follow up establishment of coordination and executive structures at sub- national levels,such as at the district levels form the National Executive committee. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The coordination and executive structures at the district levels should be established immediately with adequate means of participation of grass roots groups and bodies. | ||||||
| Target 1.4 | ||||||
| To Formulate a national plan of action and incorporation in national development plans with a time frame and an inbuilt mechanism for monitoring and evaluation,as well as adequate multi-sect oral allocation of resources for implementation of the Agenda for Action and specifically,the targets for national action contained in the present document. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Formulation of national plan of action |
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* | In Bangladesh the national plan of action had been designed in 1996 in the light of national policy for People with Disabilities. A revised plan of action is in process to accommodate the negative experience of its failure to meet the decade targets in the past following the DWA 2001. | |
| b. Incorporation of national plan of action to national development plan |
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* |
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In Bangladesh a national plan of action is yet to be incorporated within the national development plan,however,increasing efforts are taken to include disability groups in the national poverty reduction strategies. | |
| c. Monitoring and Evaluation |
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* |
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The revised plan of action is under the guidance of the newly formed national coordination committee,particularly focusing on the achievements made in line with the targets of the Decade Agenda. | |
| d. Multi-sectoral allocation of resources | * |
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The allocation of resources for the national plan of action is provided mainly from the Social Welfare Ministry. Unfortunately,the other ministries are not involved in the process of resource allocation so Agenda for action could be implemented as expected. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) The current national plan of action is under review process that needs to include relevant departments so the plan of action contains implementation tools with their involvement. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The revised plan of action should contain the solution to the problems faced before. | ||||||
| (ii) The NCC and executive committee should take more active role in the allocation of resources for implementation of the agenda for action. | ||||||
| Target 1.5 | ||||||
| To identify and prioritize,within the national plan of action,means of promoting the participation of poor persons with disabilities in all poverty alleviation programs,including urban and rural development programs and projects implemented within the country. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Means of promoting participation of poor persons with disabilities in poverty alleviation programs within the national plan of action |
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* |
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The Bangladesh government has issued notification to NGOs working in the field of poverty alleviation to prioritize disabled poor in the programs. The revised national plan of action that is under review puts greater emphasis on promoting the participation of poor persons with disabilities in all poverty alleviation programs including urban and rural initiatives. However still there is no specific means through which participation of poor persons with disabilities in the development programs could be promoted. | |
| b. National plan of action identified and prioritized means of participation of poor persons with disabilities in all urban and rural developments projects implemented within the country. |
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* |
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There is still no specific means of promoting the participation of poor persons with disabilities in the development programmes in the rural and urban areas and projects. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) Lack of adequate means for identification and prioritization for participation of poor persons with disabilities in the poverty alleviation programmes in the national plan of action in the previous years. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The NCC and the Executive should actively influence relevant government agencies to promote means of participation of poor persons with disabilities in the poverty alleviation and all development programmes and project in the country. | ||||||
| Target 1.6 | ||||||
| To specify the participation of persons with disabilities as a criterion for the approval of funding for poverty alleviation and other development programs and projects. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Participation of persons with disabilities specified as a criterion for approval of funding for poverty alleviation and development programs | * |
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In Bangladesh recently national and private banks have been instructed through an administrative order,for creating a provision for micro-credit schemes for eligible people with disabilities. A few NGOs have taken initiatives for inclusion of disabled people in their micro-credit groups to help them with income generation. However participation of persons with disabilities has not yet been specified as a criterion and incorporated by all poverty alleviating agencies/organizations. | |
| b. Specified participation of persons with disabilities as criterion for approval of funding for other development programmes and projects |
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* |
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The participation of persons with disabilities as a criterion for the approval of funding in other development programme and projects is still not specified and incorporated. These development programs are far away from the target of inclusion of disabled people within the programs. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) The participation of persons with disabilities as a criterion for the approval of funding in the poverty alleviation programmes and other development programmes and projects have not yet been given adequate attention. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The participation of persons with disabilities as criterion for the approval of funding in the poverty alleviation programmes and other development programmes and projects should be specified and incorporated. The NCC and the Executive committee should influence related government ministries and departments in the regard. | ||||||
| Target 1.7 | ||||||
| To strengthen the coordination and executive structures with adequate resources and infrastructure to enable them to function effectively as permanent statutory bodies. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Strengthen the coordination and executive structures as permanent statutory bodies |
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* |
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In Bangladesh a full-fledged coordination and executive structure has been strengthened with the power of a permanent statutory body to function and carry out the defined responsibility of the agency. | |
| b. Adequate allocation of resources |
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* |
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There is some infrastructure for the existing coordination and executive structures,which is however not adequate. Recently the Ministry of Social Welfare has requested the Ministry of Finance for further financial allocation for coordination and executive structures,which has been allocated and activated. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) Lack of active role of relevant government agencies in the NCC and Executive committee and also resources of the government. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The NCC and Executive committee should influence the government agencies highlighting the need for resources and infrastructure for the disability issues. | ||||||
| Target 1.8 | ||||||
| To pursue urgently means to promote positive image of people with disabilities,including their potential,capabilities and achievements in the areas of education,training,employment,sports,arts and cultural activities,as well as in community life,including through the use of occasions such as national or international days of disabled persons,community festivities and other media opportunities. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| i. Education |
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* |
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Some steps have been taken to facilitate NGOs operating education programs to include PwDs. Teachers and related people have also been trained although in a limited scale. The Ministry of Education (Directorate of Primary Education) has undertaken studies with the objective of formulating national policies and action plans for the inclusion of disabled learners in the primary education set up. | |
| ii. Training |
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* |
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Although in a limited scale training programs are available for disabled people in varied trade. The government and NGOs have developed some vocational training centers for disabled people. | |
| iii. Employment |
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* |
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The government has initiated 10% quota employment in Public services for disabled persons. However,the society still possesses the restriction and reservation in job opportunities for disabled people,hence the quota system has been kept tied documents. | |
| iv. Sports |
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* |
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In Bangladesh district level sports have included some events for disabled people. Also a National Sports Federation has been formed to facilitate furtherance of sports activities for people with disabilities. | |
| v. Arts and cultural activities |
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* |
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In Bangladesh the Ministry of Social Welfare assumes the responsibility for disabled people. It is in association with the CB-NGOs organizes regular cultural events in its observance of different days in the country. Many NGOs independently organize cultural and sports events for people with disabilities. These are however very limited. | |
| vi. Community life and community festivities |
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* |
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In the recent election an initiative of including disabled people as election observers in the general election,that is the biggest community function. A total of 350 PwDs were included as election observers in that general election. | |
| vii. Observance of national and international days of disabled persons |
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* | The first Wednesday of April has been declared and observed as the National Day for the Disabled Persons since 1999. Public education programs through seminars and workshops on national and international days of disability have involved GO,NGOs including self-help groups. | |
| viii. media opportunities |
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* |
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The recent years media has played an important role by focusing on needs,and rights of disabled people. | |
| Issues / problem faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) The ministry of information,which is the regulatory body of media,is not represented in the NCC and the executive committee,so the issues of promotion of positive image of disabled persons are not adequately publicized. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The NCC and executive committee should involve ministry of information and influence the ministry to take such programs to promote positive image of disabled persons including their potential,capabilities and achievements. | ||||||
| Target 1.9 | ||||||
| To establish effective communication channels among all concerned with disability matters,at national and community levels,to ensure information flow effective problem solving as well as multi-sectoral consultation,especially with self-help groups and NGOs serving disabled people. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Establish effective communication channels at national and community levels to ensure effective information flow |
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* |
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A communication channel has been established through involving government and Non-government agencies in the NCC and executive committee,and organizations working with disabled organizations. | |
| b. Involvement of self-help organizations and NGOs serving disabled people |
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* |
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The NFOWD had formed a bridge between GO and NGO in developing and updating national policy and legislation by involving GO,NGOs in the national and executive committee. Some grassroots NGO networks are coordinating GO and NGO interventions. Increasing efforts are being taken to bring community levels within the communication channels to ensure effective information flow. In addition information is accumulated and disseminated using print and electronic media,run by an NGO,CSID covering umbrella organizations of NFOWD. Only few states have been able to develop electronic link among the self-help groups to the central level. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| .(i) Infrastructure at the sub- national and community levels are not yet developed as targeted,so the communication channels are not effectively supporting information flow for effective multi ? sectoral consultation and problem solving. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) Infrastructure at the national and community levels should be established appropriately. | ||||||
| Target 1.10 | ||||||
| To ensure that information on all programs,services and provisions for people with disabilities,including all legislation and amendments pertaining to equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities,is adequately compiled,disseminated,and publicized in accessible formats and languages suited to the literacy levels of persons with disabilities and their families. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Information on all programs,services and provisions pertaining to equalization of opportunities are compiled,disseminated and publicized in accessible formats and languages to persons with disabilities and their families |
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* |
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In Bangladesh,the national disability policy has been published with a detailed narration including explanation and widely circulated to disabled people. Some workshops and seminars have been organized at national and district levels to publicize available services for disabled people. In addition,at NGO levels programs intervention is disseminated to the disabled people. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| .(i) Not all program information including services for disabled people, legislations are not disseminated to all levels as infrastructure to achieve this target is not yet development at all levels. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) There should be a mechanism for dissemination of information regarding services and provisions for disabled persons so this information reach all levels concerning disability issues disabled people and their families. |
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| Target 1.11 | ||||||
| To set up appropriate mechanisms to obtain accurate data and regular updates on disability groups,as well as information about their family and life situations,including case studies,and such other information that will encourage informed conclusions about disabled people's access to services and progress towards equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities,for the purpose of policy formulation,as well as to ensure responsible use of all personal data to protect the privacy rights of persons with disabilities. | ||||||
| Target Component for Implementation | Highest response (asterisk) | Description | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| a. Mechanisms are set up to obtain accurate data and regular updates on disability groups as well as information about their family and life situations |
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* |
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A directory of organizations working in the field of disability has been developed,which has been updated twice,and recently initiatives have been taken to update the directory annually. This provides adequate and updated information on national resources and service availability. | |
| b. Data encouraged informed conclusions about access to services and towards equalization of opportunities |
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* |
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The last census (2001) has for the first time incorporated disability conditions in the national census tools. However,the conditions listed in the census needs revision. | |
| c. Data used for policy formulation |
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* |
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Some research has been undertaken to focus on situation and prevalence of disability,problems and prospects of disabled people that is used as a reference for development of national policies and plans. | |
| d. Data on private information protected privacy rights of disabled people | * |
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There is no guideline used upon collected data to protect the privacy rights of disabled people. | |
| Issues/problems faced in implementation | ||||||
| (i) The infrastructure have not yet established and strengthened at all levels. | ||||||
| Proposed plan of action | ||||||
| (i) The infrastructure at all levels should be established appropriately. | ||||||
| (ii) Allocation of resources should be adequate | ||||||
| (iii) A national website could be introduced on disability issues with facilities of updated data gathered from all concerned parties. | ||||||
CONCLUSION
This report has been prepared on the basis of Bangladesh context only. It is understood from the findings and the results that in most cases Bangladesh is behind the targets for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. Bangladesh is a developing country and it has a lost of limitations in the field of development. However,it was also observed form this report that there has been is a positive movement for development form both the government and non-government sectors in the areas of disability interventions and development,following the Agenda for Action of the Asian & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002.
Reference
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Towards Equalization,End of the decade: Meeting the targets and the future challenges,Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002,The Bangladesh Context,Ministry of Social Welfare Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh,National Foundation for Development of Disabled Persons and National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) June 2002.
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Report of the Regional NGO Network (RNN) Task Force on National Coordination for Equalization of Opportunities for Disabled Persons for the Asian & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,1993-2002 National Coordination Task Force Bangladesh,Ahsan Habib,Assistant Director Personnel & Finance Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed and other Task Force Members of Bangladesh,June 2002.
ABRREVIATIONS
- AP=Asian & the Pacific
- APDDP= Asian & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
- Decade Agenda= Agenda for Action for the Asian & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,1993-2002
- DPO=Disabled People's Organization
- DWA= Disability Welfare Act
- ESCAP=Economic and Social Commission for the Asian & the Pacific
- GO= Government
- NCC=National Coordination Committee
- NFOWD= National Foundation of Organizations Working for the Disabled
- NGO=Non-Government Organization
- RNN= Regional NGO Network
- SHO=Self-help Organization
- TF= Task Force
- ToR=Terms of Reference
- WwD= Women with Disabilities