‘Youth with disabilities denied of employment opportunities’

Youth with disabilities face multifaceted challenges in terms of equal livelihood, employment and inclusive education and are often denied their rights as per the Disability Act 2013, a recent research stated.

A joint research project by Sightsavers & BRAC University titled “British Academy Youth Futures Research” captured the experiences of young people with disabilities living in urban and rural settings in Bangladesh.

Researchers from both organisations disseminated the project’s findings at an event in Dhaka on Thursday. It was jointly hosted by Sightsavers and BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health.

The team was led by a group of young peer researchers who have disabilities and will be trained and supported to shape national policy on disability inclusion. Their innovative research looked into the challenges, hopes and aspirations of young people with disabilities in Bangladesh.

The research will be proved to be crucial in terms of providing training and support to shape national policy on disability inclusion, speakers at the event stated.

State Minister of the Ministry of Social Welfare Md Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru graced the workshop as the chief guest, and Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trustee Board Chairperson Prof. Dr Md. Golam Rabbani attended the event as a special guest.

This research tried to understand the experiences, aspirations, and challenges of youths with disability in their livelihood in Bangladesh and, to explore the inclusion of young people with disabilities into policy dialogues around the implementation of SDG8: Decent work and economic growth.

It also tried enhancing the advocacy capacity of the youth with disabilities (peer researchers) so that they can advocate with the government and relevant stakeholders for their rights was another key objective of the project.

Speaking as the chief guest, Md. Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru MP said, “Research is an important component for societal development, and there is no alternative to research for development.”