Annual report of the year July 2021 - June 2022 of Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), a women led Organization of Persons with Disabilities.

1. Annual Report
July, 2021 – June, 2022
Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus
Flat - G1 (ground floor) House 40, Road 5, Block E, Banasree, Dhaka-1219.
Phone: 02 55124386, Mobile: 01676828874, E-mail: info@b-scan.org
Website: www.b-scan.org, www.buag.info www.oporajeyo.com

2. 2
Background
Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), as a voluntary Organization
of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) run by women with disabilities work for inclusive education,
along with accessible transport and universal accessibility for persons with disabilities and do
advocacy works with government and non-government organizations for establishing their
citizens’ rights. Ensuring accessibility through advocacy in Dhaka North City Corporation and
Dhaka South City Corporation, Department of Women Affairs, National Museum, University of
Dhaka areas are some of the mentionable successes of B-SCAN. Along with these, to make persons
with disabilities specially women with disabilities economically empowered and establishing
themselves in the society with dignity, B-SCAN is conducting various activities including-
internship for employment, entrepreneurship training and giving interest free loan. B-SCANwas
founded in 2009 and the organization was registered with Joint Stock and Firms in 2014.
B-SCAN is the founding member of the National Network of Organizations of persons with
disabilities - Protibondhi Nagorik Shongothoner Parishad (PNSP), which was formed in 2014.
Goal
Build a diverse and inclusive Society for persons with disabilities with the assurance of rights,
inherent dignity alongside full and effective participation.
Mission
Establish a discrimination free inclusive society for persons with disabilities through promoting
culture of representation, capacity building and elimination of environmental and policy barrier
from the state and society.

3. 3
1. Accessible Bangladesh for All Program
B-SCAN started it’s journey with a dream to make Bangladesh Accessible for persons with
disabilities. We are the first OPD which is identifying and raising voice for accessibility as a
separate issue rather than cross-cutting. To make Bangladesh more accessible, we started
advocacy with the government entities to introduce ramps, accessible toilets, footpaths and
other facilities related to infrastructural services. B-SCAN takes support from the architects and
engineers to provide technical provision to make the infrastructures properly accessible. We
also arrange awareness programs, training, consultation, advocacy meetings, campaign and
talk shows to make Bangladesh Accessible for all. In this process, the year 2021-2022 is very
fruitful for us. Some innovative activities have been taken to make our dream real.
1.1 Launching website of Bangla Universal Accessibility Guideline
The website www.buag.info has been launched as a
part of Accessible Dhaka Campaign publicity under
the UNDP Peace for Diversity Project on 16
November, 2021. To make the clause of Appendix D
of Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC)
coherent & simplified B-SCAN conveyed Universal
Accessibility Guideline in Bangla through website
and publication for mass people of Bangladesh. We
know that most of the infrastructure is not accessible
here. So B-SCAN initiated the activities to provide a crystal clear idea about making the
infrastructures more accessible. B-SCAN organized a Facebook live with Mir Manzur Rahman,
Chief Architect, Department of Architecture, Iqbal Habib, Architect and Joint Secretary of BAPA,
Robert Stoelman, Project Manager UNDP, Prof. Adil Mohammad Khan, General Secretary of BIP,
Akhter Hossain, PR Officer of HBRI. Architect Fahim Hasin Sahan and Architect Khatib Taniza
also joined from the Mas Studio who helped B-SCAN to develop this website.
1.2 Distributing BUAG Book publications
Under the same UNDP project, B-SCAN distributed the publications of Bangladesh Universal
Accessibility Guideline (BUAG) to different public & private entities. So that relevant authorities
are aware of the necessity of accessibility in Bangladesh. In fact this process is still being operated.
Most of the entities appreciated this activity.
1.3 Training on Capacity Building for DPOs
on Access Audit of Local Service Providers
Two days training on Capacity Building Training for DPO’s
on Access Audit for local Service providers was organized by
B-SCAN on 26 & 27 November, 2021 funded by Manusher
Jonno Foundation at Disa Training Center. Participants
from different organizations of persons with disabilities
attend the training. The training was about accessibility
Audit. They have got the knowledge regarding accessibility issues in terms of the training title.

4. 4
1.4 Meeting with Housing and
Building Research Institute (HBRI)
On 30 November, 2021 B-SCAN sat in a meeting on
promoting accessibilities in government infrastructural
level with HBRI. With this effort HBRI agreed to work
with B-SCAN regarding ensuring accessibilities through
joint collaboration. They invited B-SCAN to participate in
their fair, making them aware of accessibilities & will
offer opportunities to provide training to the engineers
on accessibility.
1.5 UNICEF Offices Accessibility Audit
B-SCAN got the opportunity to
make an accessibility audit of all
regional & country offices of
UNICEF in between March &
April 2022. That was a great
achievement for B-SCAN. With
a compact technical team the
organization successfully
accomplished the task within
the time efficiently. UNICEF has
8 field Offices in Mymensingh,
Barisal, Khulna, Chattogram,
Cox’s Bazar, Rangpur, Sylhet
along with Bangladesh Country Office of Dhaka. UNICEF authorities are considering the
recommendation & will work on it very soon.
1.6 Organizing Seminar with Dhaka Polytechnic Institute
B-SCAN & Dhaka Polytechnic
Institute jointly organized a
seminar focusing on
“Accessible Bangladesh:
Current Context” on 28
May 2022 at 3:00 pm in
Bangabandhu Auditorium,
Dhaka Polytechnic Institute. It
was a part of an awareness
building program by observing the Global Accessibility Awareness Day with the students of that
institute. In the event Salma Mahbub, General Secretary, B-SCAN presented the keynote paper.
Arifa Akther, Vice Principal, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute participated as chief guest in the
seminar. The event was chaired by Md. Jillur Rahman Khan, Junior Instructor, Civil as well.

5. 5
1.7 Organizing Seminar with HBRI
B-SCAN & Housing and Building
Research Institute (HBRI) jointly
organized a seminar focusing
“Accessible Bangladesh: BNBC
2020” in regards of Global Accessibility
Awareness Day with the participations of
different government entities related to
building infrastructures like LGED,
PED, DIFE, PWD, DOA, EED, PWD etc.
on 20 June, 2022 at 3:00 pm at HBRI
Auditorium. In the seminar Iftekhar
Mahmud, Coordinator, B-SCAN
presented the keynote paper & on behalf
of MAS Studio Fahim Hasin Sahan
presented the Bangla Universal
Accessibility Guideline enlightenment of BNBC 2020. Md. Ashraful Alam – Director General,
HBRI attended the program as Chief Guest.
1.8 Arrangement to show Cricket Match in free Tickets for
persons with disabilities
6.10.1 The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has provided 20 free tickets for persons with
disabilities in international cricket matches at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. On
19, 20 and 22 November 2021, arrangements were made to show three T20 matches between
Bangladesh and Pakistan.
6.10.2 The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has provided 20 free tickets for persons with
disabilities for two T20 matches between Bangladesh vs Afghanistan on 3 and 5 March 2022
2. Skill & Employment Development Program
B-SCAN always emphasizes on the development of skill and employment opportunities of
persons with disabilities. The organization engaged with various similar activities like - Job
placement support, Resource tools e-pub publication etc.

6. 6
2.1 Digital Employment Pathway (DEP) with the private sector
employers
BBDN organized a meeting to conduct several orientation/sensitization sessions on Digital
Employment Pathway (DEP) with the private sector employers. Following this, they organized the
1st session on 10 October 2021 inviting their network employers. Salma Mahbub, General
Secretary of B-SCAN participated in the event as a panelist.
2.2 Job Placement support for persons with disabilities
B-SCAN worked with BBDN through a joint collaboration on job placement support for persons
with disabilities from 15 February, 2022 to 27 April, 2022. B-SCAN communicated with enlisted
employers & provided them suitable candidates for the specific positions. The recruitment process
has been initiated & few of them are already being recruited. The employers committed to hire
more persons with disabilities in their further proceedings.
2.3 Spot interview for persons with disabilities
With the part of job placement
support activities, B-SCAN
organized a spot interview on 17
May, 2022 with a renowned group of
companies – Team Group. Authority
from the Team group conducted the
entire interview. 27 job seekers with
disabilities participated & 16 of them
were recruited at different positions.
2.4 Resource tool on employment and entrepreneurship
B-SCAN developed, coordinated and designed a
resource tool named ‘Information and resources
on employment and entrepreneurship: A guide
for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh’
with the financial support of European Disability
Forum (EDF) under the i2i program of Leonard
Cheshire. It is a compilation of existing training &
financing facilities for entrepreneurship. Any person
with disabilities can collect the necessary information
from single documents. This document has produced
both Bangla and English versions. It has also been
provided with a print and eBook version. It was a
combined effort from the B-SCAN team, other OPDs,
consultants and numerators with disabilities.

7. 7
2.5 Training Conduction
2.5.1 Training on Capacity Building for DPO’s on Financial Management of
Local Service Provider
Two days training on capacity building for DPO’s on financial Management of local service
providers was organized by B-SCAN with the funding of Manusher Jonno Foundation on 24 & 25
September, 2021 at Disa Training Center. In this training, organizations of persons with
disabilities from different regional areas of Bangladesh were participated. The participants learnt
about financial Management to maintain financial transactions of their organizations.
2.5.2 Training on WASH Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
B-SCAN organized a training regarding “Raising the
Voice of Persons with Disabilities on Wash Rights” on
May-14, 2022, funded by Freshwater Action Network
South Asia (FANSA) at UST Training & Resource
Center. Different organizations of persons with
disabilities benefited through the wash rights
training. In the training the participants got the
knowledge about wash accessibility rights & its implications.
2.5.3 Training workshop on Basic knowledge on investment in Share Market
for persons with disabilities
B-SCAN organized a training workshop on Basic knowledge on investment in Share
Market for persons with disabilities on 19 August 2021 at zoom platform. B-SCAN
Member Major Zahirul Islam has provided the technical support of the training. Najnin
Munni, a German expatriate investor in Dhaka Stock Exchange, has facilitated the
workshop. 29 persons with disabilities have participated in the training. Participants have
shown their keen interest to gather knowledge on stocks basic indicators, tips and
suggestions to enhance information on the share market.
2.6 Training Facilitation
2.6.1 Facilitating on disability Identification
BBS arranged 8 days long training for their enumerators. Salma Mahbub, General
Secretary, B-SCAN was invited to take a session on how to identify different types of
disabilities to the enumerators for conducting this survey on 26 Oct 2021.

8. 8
2.6.2 Training on Basic Knowledge on Persons with Disabilities
Salma Mahbub, General Secretary of B-SCAN provided a
training on Basic Knowledge on Persons with Disabilities
through zoom meeting to include people with disabilities
in the development activities of Dhaka North City
Corporation's (DNCC) project of Livelihoods
Improvement of Urban Poor Communities Project
(LIUPCP) - UNDP to improve the quality of life of the
marginalized people.
2.6.3 Online Induction Training session on UNPRPD Joint Programme
Induction Training on Cross-cutting Approaches and Preconditions for
Disability Inclusive Development
The UN task team with support from the UNPRPD secretariat organized a 10 day long induction
training to enhance understanding and familiarity with the UNCRPD and disability inclusive
SDGs. The training was conducted through the ZOOM virtual platform.
Salma Mahbub was invited to facilitate the following two sessions -
On 29 Sep, 2021 Accessibility and 6 Oct 2021 Facilitation on Meaningful Participation.
2.7 Training Participation
Training on Trainers
Washington Group Questions
Under the Evaluation of the Hygiene and
Behaviour Change Coalition for COVID-
19 prevention: the inclusion of people
with disabilities 19 prevention: the
inclusion of people with disabilities,
older people and older adults with
disabilities project an online training for
trainers was arranged on Washington
Group Questions for their partners on 10
February 2022. Salma Mahbub and Iftekhar
Mahmud participated from B-SCAN in this
training as a partner organization. The training
was conducted by London School of Tropical Health and Medicine (LSHTM) and International
Centre for Evidence on Disability (ICED).

9. 9
2.7.1 Fraud Awareness training by UNICEF
Fraud Awareness training in Bangla arranged by UNICEF BCO on 21st June 2022 at Hotel
Sarina Gulshan 2, Dhaka. The purpose of the training was to create awareness amongst
UNICEF’s Implementing Partners and Suppliers about the UNICEF anti-Fraud strategy
and Zero Tolerance position on Fraud and orient them on how to report fraud. On behalf
of B-SCAN Hridoy Das, Finance & Admin Officer attended the training.
2.7.2 Mobile Video Journalism Training
It was clear with DPOs that participated in the i2i
programme that tools and methods used in the
programme for advocacy among those all agreed
that a video was one of the best methods of advocacy
and given the opportunity they would make a
documentary on disability issues. So Leonard
Cheshire (LC) and European Disability Forum
(EDF) took an initiative to train the DPOs on Mobile
Video journalism. So that they can make small
videos on their different issues. The main objective
was to support DPOs in Bangladesh engaged in the
i2i project to produce an ‘advocacy’ video that
represents their ‘stories’ as part of the i2i
programme. They trained the DPO partners as video producers and storytelling skills. And also to
produce a video or series of videos shaped by the DPOs. They engaged On Our Radar for this
process. Four DPOs got the training and produced a video together. It was six months of training.
B-SCAN played the Lead Producer’s role.
3. Community Development Program
Persons with disabilities are the most marginalized group in the society today due to existing
misconception and environmental structure of the society. To improve the status of persons with
disabilities, B-SCAN provides support for education, internship opportunities, distribution of
assistive devices, self-employment and health support for persons with disabilities under its
Community Development Program (CDP).
3.1 Mahbubul Ashraf - Education
Honor
B-SCAN always plays a supportive role towards
enhancing academic facilities for persons with
disabilities. Keeping the process continuing B-SCAN
provides scholarships to students with disabilities
every year named Mahbubul Ashraf Education
Honor. Total 10 students get the amount of 8000

10. 10
bdt/- each this year. This event was held on 20 February, 2022, funded by Jatiyo Protibondhi
Unnayan Foundation. Among them 7 were male and 3 were female with disabilities.
3.2 Food support for Eid-ul-Fitr
B-SCAN concerning the affordability of persons with
disabilities living below poverty line due to inflation.
So on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitor. B-SCAN has arranged
food distribution among persons with poor disabilities
on 21 April, 2022. We have distributed 460 BDT TCB
food packages among the 212 poor persons with
disabilities at B-SCAN premises of Banasree. Among
them 48 were female and 164 were male with
disabilities, An entrepreneur with disability Hafez
Motin and his organization have supported the event.
B-SCAN has borne all the expenses from the
community Development Program.
3.3 Emergency Cash support to insolvent Persons with
Disabilities
After COVID19 pandemic, cash flow among persons with disabilities, especially those who are
economically vulnerable, has decreased. In this stage B-SCAN started to provide emergency cash
support activity from 2020. In the year 2021-22 in this activity we have supported 294 persons
with disabilities. Among them 94 were women with disabilities and 200 were male with
disabilities and were from 20 districts.
3.4 Distributing Assistive Devices
B-SCAN has distributed four white canes, two wheelchairs and one crutch among seven persons
with disabilities. Two white canes and one wheelchair have been contributed by fellow
organization BDDT.
4. Advocacy & Policy Influence Meeting
B-SCAN is involved in various advocacy work with government & non-government entities.
With this approach B-SCAN contributed a lot of advocacy work & in some cases consequences
were in favor of B-SCAN goals & many activities regarding awareness building are initiated by
B-SCAN as well.

11. 11
4.1 Consultation Meeting on Disability Interventions in the 8th
Five Year Plan
The General Economics Division (GED) together with
Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) and
Christian Blind Mission (CBM) organized a
consultation meeting on the 'Disability Interventions
in the 8th Five Year Plan' on 09 December, 2021
(Thursday) at NEC Conference Room, Bangladesh
Planning Commission Campus, Sher-E-Bangla
Nagar, Dhaka. Dr. Md. Kawser Ahmed, Respected
Member (Secretary), GED was present in the meeting
as Chief Guest, while Mr. Md. Mafidul Islam,
Respected Chief (Additional Secretary), GED Chaired
the Meeting.
4.2 Human Chain for half ticketing in Public Buses
B-SCAN organized a human chain on the demand of half
ticket for persons with disabilities in all transport of
Bangladesh on 23 November, 2021 at Rampura Bridge,
Dhaka in solidarity of the demands of students all over
the country. Persons with disabilities from different
sectors like students, government officials, service
holders, job seekers & persons with disabilities from
unprivileged class attend the human chain. And also sent
an advocacy letter to the Ministry of Social Welfare to
take steps in this issue.
On 30 Dec 2021 an instruction was sent to the concerned
ministries and departments from the NDD Trust and Autism Branch of the Ministry of Social
Welfare to provide half fare to persons with disabilities in public transport as well.
4.3 Webinar on Safety and Gender Equality for Girls in
Sustainable Development
National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) organized an online seminar on “Safety and
Gender Equality for Girls in Sustainable Development” on 14th December 2021 on Zoom
Platform. Ms. Nasima Begum ndc, Honorable Chairman of National Human Rights Commission
joined the event as Chief Guest. Keynote Paper has been presented by Dr. Soma Dey, Associate
Professor Department of Women & Gender Studies, Dhaka University.

12. 12
4.4 Caregiver Policy Guideline of Persons with Disabilities
A caregiver policy guideline for persons with disabilities
was developed by ten OPDs under the coordination of B-
SCAN. This draft was developed on the request of the State
Minister of MoSW when he came to the seminar on
Employment Opportunities for Persons with Severe
Disabilities. The draft was handed over to the Minister in a
seminar jointly arranged by 10 OPDs on 13 March 2022 at
the Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnoyon Foundation (JPUF)
Auditorium, Mirpur, Dhaka.
5. Budget Campaign for persons with disabilities
5.1 Round Table Discussion Meeting on Tax Rebate Issue With
BKMEA
The government had a circular
on tax exemption. If any
employer recruits 10% persons
with disabilities of their total
employee, then the employer
will get a 5% tax rebate. From
the i2i program we were
advocating to reduce this
amount from both sides so that
both parties can enjoy the
benefit. In this regard we had
several meetings with the business communities so that they can influence the government.
On 7 November 2021 we had a meeting with the BKMEA led by Disabled Child Foundation
(DCF). The Meeting was held at the BKMEA meeting room. Representatives of B-SCAN,
NCDW and NGDO attended the meeting on behalf of 10 OPDs.
All around advocacy brought some results. In the 2022-23 budget Finance Minister proposed
to amend both the existing provisions to make it such that if any employer employs 10 percent
or more than 25 persons from persons with disabilities or the Hijra community, the employer
will be entitled to get 75 percent of the salary paid to these people or 5 percent of the tax
payable, whichever is less, as a tax rebate.

13. 13
5.2 Seminar on National Level Pre -
Budget
Under the i2i program 10 OPDs jointly organized a seminar
on National Level Pre - Budget led by Women with
Disabilities and Development (WDDF) at the National
Press Club on 22 February 2022. Additional Secretary of
MoSW was the Chief Guest at the seminar. Keynote
presented by Ashrafunahar Misti, ED of WDDF. Salma
Mahbub, GS of B-SCAN moderated the program.
5.3 Participation in NBR Pre Budget Meeting
On behalf of 10 OPDs B-SCAN led a meeting in Pre-
budget discussion of the National Board of Revenue
(NBR) on 23 February 2022 led by B-SCAN. 13
recommendations have been submitted from persons
with disabilities which have been taken very seriously.
Among those several recommendations has been
approved in the budget 2022-23, like free import of
wheelchairs, hearing aids, no tax on braille
publication, no tax on hearing aid batteries etc.
Representatives of ABF and WDDF were present in
the team. This meeting was arranged as a follow up
work of the i2i program of Leonard Cheshire.
5.4 Tax Rebate and Free import of Assistive devices, Equipment
and Technology and Other facilities of Persons with Disabilities
A consultation was organized on Tax Rebate and Free
import of Assistive devices, Equipment and
Technology and Other facilities of Persons with
Disabilities in the forthcoming budget for 2022-2023.
It was organized by B-SCAN along with AUDC, BDDT,
CBDCP, DCF, DDRC, HDDF, NCDW, NGDO, WDDF
on 10 Mar, 2022 under Innovation to Inclusion (i2i)
program by the financial support of FCDO, Leonard
Cheshire and Access Bangladesh Foundation at the
Hotel Lake Castle, Gulshan, Dhaka.

14. 14
5.5 Human Chain on the Demand of disability allowance of 2000
Tk. and implementation of government, private and self-
employment resources
For the Continuation of the demand of persons with
disabilities, B-SCAN organized a different human
chain movement on 1 April 2022 for increasing
disability allowance for persons with disabilities up to
2000 BDT. It was arranged with a large volume of
persons with disabilities, more than 2000 people
gathered at the Shahbag. Different OPDs, NGOs
participated in the human chain. Following the
movement of Dhaka, human chain on similar issues
organized by several OPD’s in 22 different districts of
Bangladesh.
5.6 Submitting Memorandum to the Prime Minister
On 13 April, 2022 B-SCAN made a movement to provide a
memorandum to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the
demand of increasing disability stipend & ensuring
employment opportunities. On behalf of different
organizations of persons with disabilities B-SCAN led the
movement & handed over the memorandum to the Prime
Minister office. There was a spontaneous presence of
persons with disabilities from several professions as well.
5.7 Handed over the copy of Memorandum to the concern
Ministries
Meeting with ministers of Planning, Finance & Social welfare to
hand over the copy of memorandum of the demand for increasing
disability allowance of 2000 taka.
In order to implementing disability allowance of 2000 taka,
General Secretary of B-SCAN, Salma Mahbub & Coordinator, B-
SCAN Iftekhar Mahmud handed over the copy of the
memorandum to the planning Minister, Finance Minister & State
Minister of MoSW which was provided to prime minister office
for the demands of increasing disability allowance of 2000 taka.
All of them appreciated the approach of B-SCAN & committed to
take steps regarding this issue.
Disability allowance increased 100 taka just because of this
voice raise. Though it is not enough at all.

15. 15
6. Participating/Panelist/Moderation in Relevant
Programs
6.1 Participation in a virtual discussion on the need to preserve
playgrounds, parks and open spaces in the city
Under the initiative of Work for Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust 14 July, 2021 a virtual discussion
program was held on “Necessity of preserving local PlayGround, park, & open space” through
zoom platform. Representatives from B-SCAN participated in the virtual program.
6.2 Moderation - Celebrating Disability Rights in Bangladesh-
Challenges and Progress by ADA
A virtual round table titled "Celebrating
Disability Rights in Bangladesh- Challenges and
Progress" was held on the 31st anniversary of the
Americans with Disability Act (ADA), on 26 July,
2021 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 pm on Zoom. Salma
Mahbub, General Secretary moderated the
program from B-SCAN. A dynamic virtual round
table with prominent Bangladeshi disability
rights activists and advocates focused on the
progress made, current challenges, and future
directions in achieving disability rights in
Bangladesh.
Ecocity Satellite Conference Bangladesh-Nepal 2021
Biodiver City: Addressing Environment Disasters through
Healthier Cities
To prevent the harmful effects of the
climate change the International
Organization Eco City Builders every
year organize Eco City Conference.
Institute of Wellbeing Bangladesh;
Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk
Campus; Digo Bikas Institute, Health
Bridge Foundation of Canada, Society
of Environmental Engineers in Nepal
and Work for Better Bangladesh Trust
jointly organized a virtual Ecocity
Satellite Conference 2021 from 29th
and 30th September. Salma Mahbub,
GS of B-SCAN joined the conference
as a panel discussant at conference.

16. 16
6.3 2nd National Conference on SDG
Implementation Review
2nd Conference on SDG Implementation Review from 16 may,
2022 to 18 May, 2022 at Bangabandhu International
Conference Center (BICC). This three days event was organized
by the GED of the Planning Commision. Salma Mahbub,
General Secretary of B-SCAN and PNSP was invited to the
occasion.
6.4 Capacity Development of Women Entrepreneurs with
disabilities to Engage them in e-Commerce
a2i and Access Bangladesh Foundation jointly hosted a webinar on “Capacity Development of
Women Entrepreneurs with disabilities to Engage them in e-Commerce” on 3rd
November 2021 from 2 pm to 3 pm. Youth disabilities from B-SCAN participated in the event. Mr.
Ram Chandra Das, Director General (Additional Secretary), Department of Women Affairs will
be the Chief Guest in the event. Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Project Director (Joint
Secretary), a2i Chaired the event.
6.5 Person with Disability Course Module Validation Workshop
a2i and Manusher Jonno Foundation jointly developed a module for Muktopath, an eLearning
platform in Bangla for professionals and skill development. An online validation workshop was
arranged. B-SCAN was invited to make their comment or suggestion on the module on 13
November 2021.
6.6 Capacity Building & Consultation Workshop on Labour Force
Survey Questionnaire
On behalf of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics a
workshop was arranged on "Capacity Building &
Consultation Workshop on Labour Force Survey
Questionnaire" by 19 December 2021 at the BICC. The
focus was mainly to Discuss on Disability related
questions in Labour Force Survey and related SDG
indicators. Here is to mention that this is the first time
persons with disabilities are included in a labour force
survey.

17. 17
6.7 Panelist for LAUNCH EVENT - Fostering Inclusion through
Data in South Asia
UNICEF has established a Centre of Excellence on Data for Children with Disabilities. The aim is
to promote the generation of robust and relevant statistics for use in both decision-making and
advocacy. The initiative was meant to bring together international organizations, organizations of
persons with disabilities, academics and national statistics offices around a shared commitment
to strengthening the availability and quality of statistics on children with disabilities.
The launching webinar featured keynote statements, presentations of the report’s key findings
and the Centre’s activities and goals, along with a dialogue among stakeholders on promoting the
rights of children with disabilities through inclusive data. Salma Mahbub the experience about
the National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) 2021 in her keynote address on 10 May
2022.
6.8 Submission of Alternative Report on the implementation of
the CRPD to advance the rights of women and girls with
disabilities in Bangladesh
A National Level Committee of Women with Disabilities
was formed by thirteen women leaders of different DPOs
on 31 May 2022 by the initiative of WDDF and funding of
UNTF. Salma Mahbub, General Secretary of B-SCAN is a
member of that committee. From that committee we
have submitted an Alternative Report on the
implementation of the CRPD to advance the rights of
women and girls with disabilities in Bangladesh. A
consultation meeting was held before finalizing the
report on 19 May 2022.
6.9 Volunteerism, Youth Innovation for Human: Perspectives on
Transforming Food Systems
UNV Bangladesh, UNFPA Bangladesh, VSO Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh and
ActionAid Bangladesh organized a live webinar titled ‘’Volunteerism, Youth Innovation for
Human: Perspectives on Transforming Food Systems’’ marking the upcoming International
Youth Day on 12 Aug 2021 by Zoom.
6.10 Panelist at Radio Shadhin Talk Show on violence against
women and girls with disabilities and access to justice
Salma Mahbub, General Secretary of B-SCAN participated as a panelist in Talk Show on Violence
against women and girls with disabilities and access to justice at Radio Shadhin on 12 August 2021
at evening 7pm. The program was organized by WDDF, Arrow and UNTF.

18. 18
7. Contributed in National Survey on Persons with
Disabilities (NSPD)
The Bangladesh Government for the first time took a step to implement a separate sample by
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The survey was held from 2nd November 2021
to 31 December 2021. The Washington Set of questions was used in this survey. They have
collected information from 36000 houses all over the country.
7.1 Inspection of the Field Survey
BBS conducted a National Survey on Persons with
Disabilities (NSPD) working committee from May 2021.
Salma Mahbub, General Secretary of B-SCAN was invited
to work in this committee. She was involved from
developing to training of the enumerators. BBS started its
survey from 2nd November 2021. Continuation of the
process BBS invited her to inspect the field survey of
Moghbazar Slum area on 14 December 2022.
7.2 Steering Committee Meeting on the progress of NSPD Project
The general secretary of B-SCAN attended the 5th meeting
of the Steering Committee held on January 11, 2022 to
discuss the overall activities and progress of the National
Survey on Persons with Disabilities 2019' project. The
meeting was chaired by Dr. Shahnaz Arefin NDC, Secretary,
Department of Statistics and Information Management.
7.3 Meeting on the draft report of NSPD
Attended the discussion meeting on the draft preliminary report on the National Survey on
Persons with Disabilities on 19 May 2022.
7.4 Draft Preliminary Report sharing meeting with DG of BBS
Project Implementation Committee (PIC) meeting on the draft preliminary report was held on 22
May 2022 at BBS office, Agargaon, Dhaka. Mohammad Tazul Islam, Director
General, BBS presided over the meeting.
7.5 6th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting to finalize the
report
6th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting was held on 23 May 2022 to finalize the draft
preliminary report on NSPD for publishing. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Shahnaz Arefin NDC,
Secretary, Department of Statistics and Information Management, BBS.

19. 19
8. Networking with WASH Sectors
8.1 FANSA-BD Steering Committee Meeting
FANSA- BD Steering Committee members to meet virtually on 29 September 2021 at 10:30 am.
This meeting was held to make plans and action under two interim projects. Alongside as a WASH
network of South Asia FANSA-BD took October- the National Sanitation Month and the Global
Handwashing Day into proper action considering specially the hand-hygiene as a key component
to combat COVID-19 threat.
8.2 WASH sector celebrated its 50 years of achievement and way
forward in presence of Ministers and Mayors
On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the
Independence of Bangladesh and Mujib Centenary, a
seminar on Fifty years of Achievements in Water Supply,
Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector and Way
Forward was held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka
on October 16, 2021. The seminar was jointly organized
by the Local Government Division of the Ministry of
Local Government, Rural Development and
Cooperatives and WaterAid Bangladesh. The Minister of
the Local Government was the Chief Guest. Besides that
two Mayors of North and South City Corporations were
present as Special Guests and the Senior Secretary of the
Local Division was the Chair of the seminar.
8.3 Workshop on Engage CSOs in preparing and reviewing SWA's
Mutual Accountability Mechanism (MAM) commitments
In order to achieve the SDG-6 goal, the Bikoshito Bangladesh Foundation (BBF) with the
support of the donor agency Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) organized a day long
workshop on Engage CSOs in Preparing and Reviewing SWA's Mutual Accountability
Mechanism (MAM) Commitments at YWCA Hallroom (6th Floor), Iqbal Road,
Mohammadpur, Dhaka on Saturday on December 4, 2021. Mr. Zahirul Islam, Advisor,
Ministry of Planning addressed the workshop as the Chief Guest. About 30 organizations were
represented at the event.
8.4 Regional Workshop in preparation for the upcoming World
Water Forum
Freshwater Action Network- South Asia (FANSA) in collaboration with Butterfly Effect organized
a Regional Workshop in preparation for the upcoming World Water Forum and the UN

20. 20
Conference for the Water Decade. The Workshop is scheduled to be held virtually at 3:30 pm (BD
Time) on 16 December 2021.
8.5 WASH Integrity Management: Progress, Challenges and Way
Forward
A webinar was held on the WASH Integrity Management: Progress, Challenges and Way Forward,
to held on 22 December 2021, where the Honorable Minister for Local Government, Rural
Development and Cooperatives Mr. Md Tazul Islam MP was the Chief Guest. The discussion was
jointly organized by NGO Forum for Public Health, Bangladesh Water Integrity Network
(BAWIN) and the Daily Bhorer Kagoj with the support from Water Integrity Network (WIN).
8.6 Meeting with Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Minister
A CSO delegation met with the Minister of
Forest, Environment and Climate Change
(middle), Bangladesh on 15 May 2022 as part of
the preparatory process of SMM. They handed
over 9 points of country commitments which
were to be discussed at the Sector Ministers
Meeting (SMM) held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 18-
19 May.
8.6 Climate Resilient Budget : Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene Perspective
DORP organized a Pre-Budget dialogue on Climate
Resilient Budget : Water. Sanitation and Hygiene
Perspective on 23 May 2022 at Amader Somoy
Auditorium. Honourable State Minister of Planning,
Dr. Shamsul Alam was present as the Chief Guest.
9. Celebrating Special Day
9.1 Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Day 28 July 2021
Participated in a webinar on the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Day arranged by the
FANSA Regional Secretariat (Nepal).

21. 21
9.2 World Girl Child Day 30 September 2021
Participated in the National Girl Child Day program jointly organized by the Ministry of Women
and Child Affairs and National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) at the Shishu Academy
Dhaka.
9.3 Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2021
FANSA in partnership with UNICEF, WHO, SWA, WaterAid, and Plan International organized a
virtual event on 7th October 2021, in observance of the Global Handwashing Day 2021. This year’s
event was organized ahead of 15th October with a view to avoiding the festival period to be
observed by many countries of the region. B-SCAN participated in the event.
9.4 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3 December
2021
B-SCAN organized a facebook live event to observe the International Day of Persons with
disabilities on 19 December 2021. Also participated in a webinar arranged by Jatiyo Protibondhi
Unnoyon Foundation (JPUF).
9.5 World Human Rights Day 10 December 2021
B-SCAN participated in the rally and discussion meeting arranged by the National Human Rights
Commission.
9.6 Bangla Sign Language Day 7 February 2022
Participated in the webinar arranged by the Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnoyon Foundation (JPUF).
9.7 International Women’s Day 8 March 2022
Published in the seminar on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities and Institutional
Initiative. It was organized by WDDF at the Daily Star Auditorium on 9 Mar 2022.
10. Representation in International Arena
10.1 Participation in Celebration of Human Rights to Water and
Sanitation Day
To celebrate the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation on 28th July 2021 a webinar was
arranged by the FANSA Regional Secretariat (Nepal) where eminent speakers from Eight South
Asian countries will be delivering key messages. Here is to mention that on 28th July United
Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized the Human Right to Water and
Sanitation (HRWS) and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to
the realization of all human rights.

22. 22
10.2 International Webinar
Moderation
Salma Mahbub was invited to moderate a webinar
jointly organized by Leonard Cheshire and
European Disability Forum (EDF) on ‘Disability-
inclusive employment in a new digital, COVID-
changed landscape’ by 7 October 2021.
10.2 Disability Inclusion and Policy and Strategy DIPAS Country
Consultation
Consultation on UNICEF Disability Inclusion and Policy & Strategy 2022-30 on 2nd March 2022.
B-SCAN was invited to participate.
10.3 WHO South East Asia Regional Consultation for the WHO
Report on health equity for persons with disabilities
WHO Southeast Asia regional consultation on the draft WHO Global report on health equity for
persons with disabilities was held for WHO to share information on the development of the
upcoming report, and seeking feedback from government representatives of ministries of health
and associated entities in South East Asia, as well as organizations of persons with disabilities and
other civil society organizations on the structure and proposed content. It was held on Zoom on
18 May 2022. A draft report was also shared at the meeting.
10.4 Participation in a consultation on the draft WHO Global
Report on health equity for persons with disabilities
A follow up consultation on the draft WHO Global Report on health equity for persons with
disabilities was held in three different days of 21, 23 and 29 June 2022. Salma Mahbub, General
Secretary of B-SCAN joined the consultation on 23 June. This report comes at the request of WHO
Member States, as part of the World Health Assembly resolution WHA 74.8 on The highest
attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities. The overarching objective of the report
is to make health equity for persons with disabilities a global health priority.
10.5 Training on Including Children with Disabilities in
Humanitarian Action by UNICEF
UNICEF Bangladesh Country Office in partnership with the Regional office offered a live online
Training on Including Children with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action on 28 June 2022. The
training was participated by staff members of UNICEF Bangladesh Office, where few colleagues
from South Asian Country Offices will also join. Salma Mahbub of B-SCAN was invited to join
the training.

23. 23
11. Participation in Global Summit Disability 2022
The second GDS on 16th and 17th February, 2022 hosted by International Disability
Alliance, the Government of Norway and the Government of Ghana.
11. 1 Inclusive Livelihoods – How Labour Market Systems can Adapt to Improve
Access to Private Sector Jobs for People with Disabilities
The discussion focused on innovative pathways to employment that are accessible and inclusive
of people with disabilities, the role of the private sector including business and disability
networks, the opportunities through value chains and the impact of disability confidence schemes,
and how OPDs can successfully influence labour markets and policies. It was jointly organized by
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office / Sightsavers. Salma Mahbub, GS, B-SCAN
joined this webinar as a panelist.
11.2 Status of the Impact of Covid-19 on Inclusive Education: South-Asian
Perspective
NCPEDP, India in collaboration with UNESCO, New Delhi organized a Side-Event on the theme
of ‘Inclusive Education’ which was one of the said themes of the GDS 2022. Salma Mahbub who
is also the General Secretary of Protibondhi Nagorik Shangathaner Parishad (PNSP), a OPD
network, presented a country paper at the webinar along with the other representative from OPDs
of India and Nepal and representative from Ministry of Education, Bhutan.
12. Membership
Salma Mahbub of B-SCAN has been elected as a Co Convenor of the Freshwater Action
Network of South Asia (FANSA) Bangladesh in December 2021.
Salma Mahbub, General Secretary of B-SCAN has been selected as a non-government
organization member in Neuro Developmental Disability Protection (NDD) Trust Office
Anti-Harassment Committee to prevent sexual harassment of women into the office
premises. Four members committee has been formed on 22 May 2022
Steering Committee Member of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Platform from
11 May 2022.
Member of Bangladesh Water Integrity Network (BAWIN) from 22 May 2022
Member of Public Transport, Public Place and Heritage related Committee of
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) 9 July 2021.

24. 24
13. B-SCAN Enrichment & Human Resources
Finance and Admin Officer of B-SCAN Suzon Ali, a person with hard of hearing got a government
job in the Department of technical education, so he resigned from here in July 2021.
Program Officer Nishat Afroze, a woman with low vision resigned from the job. She now joined
Berger Paints Ltd.
New Persons recruited in B-SCAN Team
Md. Abdus Samad joined as an intern in March 2021, considering his performance he has been
recruited as Program Officer (Admin) from August 2021. He is a person with physical disability.
Mahfuzur Rahman Raqeev, a person with visual disability joined as Program Officer from October
2021.
Ayaz Dewan joined as Finance and Admin Officer in September 2021.
14. ‘PRANGON’ Lifelong Education and therapy
Center
B-SCAN believes in the spirit of inclusive education. But in many cases children with disabilities
are deprived from inclusive education due to their adaptability of daily living. B-SCAN have felt
that preschool should play a significant role to include them in mainstream general school.
Moreover some children with disabilities still go out or reach nearby schools. Some of them
become adolescents, but they are deprived of ADL, communication skills and primary education.
B-SCAN treasurer Abdul Hannan, a parent of a cerebral palsy child, took the initiative to start
preschool and therapy centers for them. Moreover, capable parents, patients can receive service
with payment which will help us to make the center sustainable. At present 5 regular students
with disabilities and 3
irregular students with
disabilities are in
preschool. We have
collected some materials
for the education and the
therapy center. We are
already short of funds
and space to give more
support to them. Already
some philanthropic
people have extended
their hands to operate the center. Many more hands needed to make it a standard service-
oriented institution.

25. 25
Health Campaign
PRANGON randomly provides free health services to
the people living below poverty level, who cannot afford
to maintain their medical expenses, B-SCAN frequently
organizes free health campaigns from its sister concern
Prangon. On 26 March, 2022 & 10 June, 2022
successfully organized the event by providing free
Physiotherapy, Diabetes test, blood group test, blood
pressure measurement, & weight measurement etc. A
lot of people including persons with disability took the
service spontaneously.
Human Resource of PRANGON
Asma Ahmed - Adviser
Sushmita Rani Nath joined as a part time Music Teacher.
Afsana Begum joined as an Assistant Teacher
Shohel Rana joined as a Physiotherapist.
15. 12th Annual General Meeting of B-SCAN
B-SCAN arranged its 12th Annual General Meeting on 4 December 2021 at the B-SCAN office of
Banasree, Dhaka. There was a presentation on the activities of the year 2020-21 and also an action
plan and budget was discussed for the year 2021-22. Thirteen members attended the meeting.