Bridging our digital divide

Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in digital transformation over the last decade has reshaped how citizens access services -- from education and healthcare to banking and public information. With more than 1,000  e-services and 33,000 government websites connected nationwide, the country is steadily advancing towards a progressive Bangladesh.

 

 

Yet, for nearly 15% of the population who live with disabilities, this digital revolution remains painfully out of reach.

 

 

A joint study conducted in 2025 by UNDP Bangladesh and aspire to innovate (a2i) reveals that despite major achievements, persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers in accessing digital services. These gaps not only widen inequality but also undermine national commitments under the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act (2013) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Digital Barriers that exclude millions

 

The study, covering Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, and Rajshahi, found that digital exclusion stems from several interconnected challenges:

 

 

1. Limited access to assistive technologies

While 27% of persons without disabilities use mobile internet in Bangladesh, only 4% of persons with disabilities do. Many cannot afford assistive devices, lack awareness, or face connectivity challenges. Government portals are still not fully compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), leaving users unable to navigate essential services.

One participant from Dhaka said, “I cannot buy a SIM card because my disability prevents me from providing fingerprints.” This shows how even basic digital access points remain inaccessible.

 

 

2. Low digital literacy and safety risks

Many respondents expressed a need for training, while more than 70% reported encountering offensive or inaccessible online content. Women with disabilities face disproportionate risks, including bullying, harassment, and privacy violations.

A woman in Dhaka shared how her edited photos were posted online without consent -- an alarming example of digital abuse targeting vulnerable groups.

 

 

3. Inaccessible digital platforms

Although platforms like MuktoPaath and various government portals have expanded accessibilities, they still lack full accessibility features. Higher education resources and banking apps are also largely incompatible with assistive technologies, leaving many excluded from learning and financial systems.

 

 

4. Gender-based digital exclusion

Only 30% of women with disabilities own a mobile phone, compared to 54% of men with disabilities. Caregivers -- often women -- also struggle due to low digital literacy, limiting access for entire families.

 

 

5. Gaps in policy implementation

Bangladesh has several strong policies in place, but enforcement remains weak. Digital inclusion is not adequately reflected across ICT policies, and compliance monitoring is inconsistent.

 

 

An opportunity

Bangladesh is uniquely positioned to reverse this trend. With 4,500+ digital centres, growing mobile financial services, and rising local innovations in assistive technologies, the foundation already exists for a disability-inclusive digital ecosystem.

 

 

Global best practices in countries like Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US demonstrate that accessibility-by-design is possible -- when supported by legislation, monitoring, and investment.

 

 

What Bangladesh should do next

The policy brief of the study outlines actionable steps across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines:

 

 

Immediate priorities (0–1 year):

• Affordable internet packages for persons with disabilities
• Accessibility audits of all government digital services
• Enforcement of the Digital Service and Web Designing Guideline for Inclusive Accessibility 2022
• Training developers and service providers on accessibility
• Digital safety programmes targeting women and youth with disabilities

 

Medium-term actions (1–3 years)

• Remote identity verification for government allowances
• A National Disability Helpline with accessible features
• Accessible digital banking and financial platforms
• Subsidizing assistive devices
• Integrating the Suborno Card with the national ID system

 

Long-term vision (3–5 years)

• A dedicated Digital Accessibility Act aligned with WCAG 2.2
• A national Web Accessibility Monitoring Authority
• Fully accessible e-learning and employment platforms
• Inclusive access to media, public announcements, and emergency alerts

 

The path forward

Ensuring digital accessibility for persons with disabilities is not only a legal obligation -- it is a moral imperative. It is also essential for Bangladesh’s economic and social development. When people with disabilities can access information, education, financial services, and employment equally, the entire nation benefits.

 

 

Bridging the digital divide requires political commitment, active participation of persons with disabilities, strong partnerships with civil society, and continued investment in inclusive innovation.

 

 

A truly inclusive Bangladesh cannot be built if millions remain locked out of its digital doors. The moment to act is now -- so that every citizen, regardless of ability, can share in the promise of an inclusive digital future.

 

 

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