On 20 May 2026, Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) and BRAC Bank PLC, in collaboration with The Business Standard (TBS), organized a multi-stakeholder roundtable titled “Data Matters: Numbers and Evidence are Key to Disability-Inclusive Society.” The discussion brought together representatives from government, development partners, financial institutions, academia, and organizations of persons with disabilities to examine how reliable data can strengthen disability-inclusive development and employment in Bangladesh.
The discussion underscored that despite progressive policies and increasing institutional attention, disability inclusion continues to be constrained by fragmented data systems, inconsistent prevalence estimates, weak inter-agency coordination, and the absence of a unified national database. Participants emphasized that these challenges limit evidence-based planning, effective service delivery, and informed policymaking.
Speakers highlighted the need to harmonize disability data collection methodologies, strengthen coordination among government agencies, improve labour market and employment tracking, expand disability-disaggregated financial and employment data, and ensure the meaningful participation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in data governance. Particular attention was given to adopting internationally comparable data standards, improving accessibility and verification mechanisms, and integrating disability data across national systems.
The roundtable concluded with a collective call to establish a unified, accessible, and evidence-driven national disability data ecosystem that can support inclusive policymaking, strengthen employment opportunities, guide public and private sector investments, and accelerate Bangladesh’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To read the full report, click BBDN Roundtable at TBS