In Bangladesh, it is estimated that almost 66,000 people live with deafblindness.*
*World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), 2018 At risk of exclusion from CRPD and SDGs implementation: Inequality and persons with deafblindness.
In Bangladesh, people with deafblindness are considered one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Deafblindness, as a disability in its own right, has been recognised since 2013 in Bangladesh. Before 2013, deafblind people were considered as people with multiple disabilities and had to seek support from centres who provide services to people with visual and hearing impairment.
In 2013, Bangladesh government passed the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPPDA) where deafblindness has been recognised as a separate type of disability. In total, the law recognises 12 types of disability and deafblindness is one of them.
The Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act includes general rights such as the right to be fully alive and developed, equal lawful recognition and justice, rights of inheritance, freedom of expression, opinion and information, right to live with family and build a family and active participation in the society.
The other category is fundamental rights which include: accessibility, access to all levels of education, employment at government and non-government organisations, getting compensation for disability during employment, getting healthcare, access to legal services
Although awareness about the law is still not sufficient, it has enabled people to know more about their rights and what support they can receive.
Access to technology can be a game-changer for people with deafblindness, providing new ways to access information, communicate with others, and participate in daily life.
These resources will enable people with deafblindness and those that support them to live, learn, and thrive.