A Dissemination Workshop on "Building a Pipeline of Countries for Assistive Technology Investment"

On 27 October 2024, Helen Keller Bangladesh hosted a Dissemination Workshop on "Building a Pipeline of Countries for Assistive Technology Investment" at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka. The project focused on promoting sustainable investment in assistive technology (AT) by incorporating it into national programs, in partnership with the Government and organizations such as USAID, UNOPS, and ATscale. The event was graced by special guests including Prof. Dr. Nahid Ferdousi, Director of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute; Bijoy Krishna Debnath, Additional Secretary (Institutions and Disability Wing), Ministry of Social Welfare; Rekha Rani Balo, Additional Secretary (Planning and Development Wing), Ministry of Social Welfare; and Md. Ismiel Hossain, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare.

As part of the initiative, three situation analyses and two studies on investment and cost analysis for AT were conducted by CRD, GRM, Datascape, and M World. Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Managing Director of CRD presented key findings of the assessment CRD carried out (using the ATA-C and STARS tools to improve AT access). The workshop emphasized the importance of strategic investment and partnerships to enhance AT accessibility!