Respectful representation of persons with disabilities stressed in a workshop

News Desk

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a more inclusive and dignified media landscape, media professionals, disability rights advocates, and development experts came together for a day-long workshop on disability-inclusive communication. The event, organized by Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion (HI), Access Bangladesh Foundation (ABF), and National Grassroots Disability Organizations (NGDO), underscored the pressing need for respectful portrayal of persons with disabilities in all media content in Bangladesh. Australia Awards Bangladesh Alumni Support Grant funded the workshop.

 The workshop, held on Thursday (20 July 2023) witnessed an impressive turnout of around 33 attendees, including media professionals, representatives from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and development experts. The collective mission was to address the prevailing challenges and reshape the narrative surrounding disability representation in the media. A pivotal moment during the workshop was the joint presentation of a keynote paper titled ‘Disability in Bangladeshi Media: Present Situation, Challenges, and Ways Forward.’ This insightful paper was delivered by Albert Mollah, Executive Director of ABF, and Basir Al Hossain, Programme Manager of NGDO.

The keynote shed light on the existing stigmatized portrayal of persons with disabilities in the media and underscored the sector-wide challenges, including the unfortunate de-prioritization of disability-related issues. To foster meaningful change, the paper recommended forging a collaborative partnership between media houses and organizations representing persons with disabilities.

Asim Dio, Policy and Advocacy Specialist of HI, presented another essential keynote during the workshop. He shared a draft guideline on disability-inclusive communication tailored explicitly for media professionals. The presentation highlighted key strategies and considerations that can help create content that is not only inclusive but also accessible for persons with disabilities. This guideline promises to be a significant step towards promoting an inclusive media landscape that celebrates diversity and respects the dignity of all individuals.

Distinguished guests graced the workshop, including the chief guest, Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Chief Executive Officer, and Editor in Chief of Global Television. Renowned media personality and TV presenter, Jamil Ahmed, also attended the event as a special guest. The workshop was expertly presided over by Sibghatullah Ahmed, Operations Manager of HI. As the workshop progressed, passionate discussions and interactive sessions took place, allowing participants to exchange ideas and insights on best practices for disability-inclusive communication in the media. The engaged dialogue set the foundation for collective efforts to drive positive change and to ensure a more inclusive representation of persons with disabilities across various media platforms.

 The collaborative efforts of Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion (HI), Access Bangladesh Foundation (ABF), and National Grassroots Disability Organizations (NGDO) have culminated in an empowering workshop that serves as a catalyst for transforming the media landscape in Bangladesh. By championing respectful and dignified representation, the workshop marks a pivotal step towards a society where the rights and voices of all individuals, regardless of their abilities, are equally valued and celebrated.