Digital accessibility must become a national commitment

As Bangladesh moves deeper into a technology-driven society, digital accessibility is becoming one of the most important issues for inclusive development. Access to information, communication, education, healthcare, financial services and government support increasingly depends on digital platforms. Yet, for millions of persons with disabilities, these services remain partially inaccessible or difficult to use.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), observed worldwide on the third Thursday of May, reminds governments, institutions and technology developers that digital inclusion is not optional. The 2026 global theme, "Design, Develop, Deliver: Accessibility at Every Step", carries an important message for Bangladesh as well: accessibility must be integrated at every stage of digital development rather than treated as an afterthought.

Digital accessibility means ensuring that websites, mobile applications, software, online documents, videos and digital services can be used independently by everyone, including persons with visual, hearing, physical, intellectual and communication disabilities. Accessibility is fundamentally linked to equal rights, dignity and participation in public life.

Bangladesh has already demonstrated its commitment in this area through important legal and policy measures. The country was among the first signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which emphasises equal access to information and communication technologies. National laws, including the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, also recognise accessibility and inclusion as fundamental rights.

In recent years, digital services in both the public and private sectors have expanded rapidly. Government websites, mobile financial services, e-commerce platforms, online education systems and digital health services are now part of everyday life. According to official data, more than 3.9 million persons with disabilities are registered with the government, while millions more rely on accessible communication and technology to participate fully in society.

This growing dependence on digital services makes accessibility a national necessity.

A website without screen-reader compatibility may prevent a person with a visual impairment from accessing critical information. Videos without captions can exclude persons with hearing impairments. Complex online forms or inaccessible mobile applications can create barriers to accessing education, banking, healthcare and employment opportunities. These are not isolated technical problems; they directly affect social participation, economic independence and equal citizenship.

Accessibility also benefits society beyond the disability community. Older people, individuals with temporary injuries and citizens with limited digital skills often benefit from accessible design features such as clearer navigation, readable text, voice support, captions and simplified interfaces. Inclusive design improves usability for everyone.

The importance of accessibility is increasingly recognised worldwide, not only as a human rights issue but also as an economic and development priority. International standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have become global benchmarks for inclusive digital services. Bangladesh has already taken positive steps by introducing national accessibility guidelines aligned with these standards and improving accessibility across government digital platforms.

A significant role in this progress has been played by the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme under the ICT Division. Through its Disability Innovation Lab, a2i has been working to make government digital services more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities. The initiative has supported accessibility improvements across thousands of government websites and promoted awareness of inclusive digital design among public institutions and developers.

a2i has also introduced several innovative initiatives, including Multimedia Talking Books, accessible learning platforms, digital classrooms and inclusive online education tools that support learners with disabilities. In addition, the programme has provided technical support, capacity-building training and accessibility assessments to government and partner organisations. These efforts demonstrate that accessibility is not only achievable in Bangladesh but can also become part of mainstream digital development with proper institutional commitment.

At the same time, stronger political commitment is now visible in national policy discussions. The current government, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has emphasised accountable governance, citizen-centred public services, the expansion of the digital economy, youth employment in the ICT sector and inclusive social protection in its recent manifesto and policy commitments.

The manifesto also highlights the importance of expanding access to technology, improving online public services, strengthening ICT infrastructure and building a humane and inclusive state that is responsive to citizens' needs. These commitments create a timely opportunity to place digital accessibility at the centre of national governance and digital transformation efforts.

Importantly, the inclusion of persons with disabilities has also featured in broader policy discussions, including commitments related to social protection, accessible public participation and support systems for marginalised communities. Such commitments can help ensure that digital transformation benefits all citizens equally.

However, accessibility cannot remain limited to policy language alone. It must become part of practical implementation across ministries, educational institutions, financial services, healthcare systems and digital platforms. Public procurement policies should require compliance with accessibility standards. Universities and technical institutions should include accessibility and inclusive design within ICT curricula. Public and private organisations should conduct regular accessibility audits and involve persons with disabilities directly in testing and development processes.

Awareness remains another major challenge. Many institutions still believe accessibility is expensive or technically difficult. In reality, accessibility becomes far more affordable and effective when incorporated from the outset. Small improvements, such as adding alternative text to images, enabling keyboard navigation, ensuring proper colour contrast and providing captions, can significantly improve access for millions of users.

Bangladesh now stands at an important moment. Artificial intelligence, automation and digital public services are expanding rapidly. If accessibility is ignored during this transformation, digital inequality may deepen further. However, if inclusion becomes a guiding principle, technology can help remove barriers that persons with disabilities have faced for generations.

The message of Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026 is therefore highly relevant for Bangladesh. Accessibility is not simply a technical checklist. It is about ensuring equal opportunity, participation and dignity in an increasingly digital society.

An inclusive future can only be achieved when every citizen, regardless of ability, can access digital services, information, education and opportunities on equal terms. Accessibility must no longer remain a specialised discussion among experts. It should become a national development commitment shared by government, political leaders, private-sector institutions, educational organisations and society as a whole.

Only then can Bangladesh build a truly inclusive digital future where no one is left behind.

Vashkar Bhattacharjee is a person with visual disabilities who is a digital accessibility expert and disability rights advocate with over 20 years of experience.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.