Disability Inclusion Gets Focus in Budget Talks

Representatives of persons with disabilities on Sunday called for increased budgetary allocation, stronger policy commitments, and greater institutional support to ensure disability inclusion in the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

The demands were raised during a pre-budget consultation meeting held at the Finance Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where leaders of disability rights organisations met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury to discuss issues related to the rights, welfare, and socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The meeting, held in the afternoon, was also attended by Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain and State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin.

Speaking at the consultation, the finance minister said the government remains committed to building a disability-friendly society and ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all sectors.

“This government gives the highest importance to issues concerning persons with disabilities,” he said, adding that disability inclusion must become an integral part of national development planning.

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also stressed the need to move beyond a charity-based approach and focus instead on empowerment, skills development, and economic self-reliance.

“We should not view persons with disabilities only through a welfare or charity model. They must be empowered to become self-dependent and active contributors to society. Financial allowances alone cannot ensure a dignified and improved quality of life,” he said.

The finance minister further announced that each ministry would appoint a designated focal person for disability affairs to improve coordination and ensure inclusive policy implementation across government institutions.

Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said the government had received clear directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure equal rights, accessibility, and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“There are special instructions from the prime minister to ensure that persons with disabilities receive all necessary services, opportunities, and state support,” he said.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin said several proposals submitted during the consultation had already been taken into consideration by the government.

She noted that although all demands might not be fulfilled immediately, the government would gradually work toward ensuring that ministry-based budgets properly address the needs of persons with disabilities.

The consultation was attended by a 23-member delegation representing disability rights groups, including Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity and National Alliance of Disabled People's Organizations.

The delegation was led by Md Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder and executive director of Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity and president of the National Alliance of Disabled People's Organizations.

Participants at the meeting emphasized the importance of ensuring meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream development activities and called for disability-inclusive measures in education, healthcare, employment, transport, and public services.

They also urged the government to increase accessibility in public infrastructure, strengthen social protection programmes, expand vocational training opportunities, and ensure adequate funding for disability-focused initiatives in the upcoming budget.

Among others present at the consultation were former government secretary and BPKS adviser Abi Abdullah, NADPO Secretary General Md Iftekhar Hossain Sohel, and representatives of disability organisations from different districts across the country.

The consultation formed part of a broader series of pre-budget discussions being organised by the Finance Division ahead of the preparation of the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.