This article outlines the activities of the National Disabled Development Foundation (NDDF), a government autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Welfare. Its headquarters is located at Subarna Bhaban, Mirpur-14, Dhaka. The Foundation works relentlessly to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society, thereby contributing to the overall development of the nation through social awareness and the establishment of the rule of law.
Table of Contents
Background
At the Second South Asian Community-Based Rehabilitation Conference, held on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Prime Minister suggested the creation of a fund dedicated to the welfare and development of disabled persons. To implement this directive, the NDDF was established on 16 November 1999 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Its memorandum of association and constitution were published in the Bangladesh Gazette in February 2000.
In 2007, the Foundation was restructured by the caretaker government under Fakhruddin Ahmed. This restructuring was annulled by the Awami League Government on 16 May 2016.
To further strengthen the legal framework, the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013 was enacted, followed by the passing of the National Disabled Development Foundation Act, 2023, which provides statutory recognition to NDDF.
Key Activities
- District and Upazila Disability Service and Help Centres – Providing free therapeutic services.
- Mobile One-Stop Therapy Services – Therapy vans delivering services in remote areas.
- Autism Resource Centres – Offering free therapies, counselling, and support.
- Autism and Neuro-Developmental Disability (NDD) Corners – Established at every service centre.
- Special Schools – For intellectually disabled children and children with autism.
- Hostels – For working men and women with disabilities.
- Microcredit and Grants – For rehabilitation and livelihood support.
Disability Service and Help Centres
A total of 103 centres have been established across 64 districts and 39 upazilas to provide therapeutic, counselling, and referral services, along with assistive devices.
- As of August 2023, 809,380 individuals had registered and 10,548,715 services had been delivered.
- The Honourable Prime Minister formally inaugurated this programme on 2 April 2010.
- Work is ongoing to establish 422 additional centres across upazilas.
Mobile One-Stop Therapy Services
- 40 mobile therapy vans are in operation across Bangladesh.
- By August 2023, 890,386 persons had received services, totalling 1,134,759 service transactions.
- This initiative was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2015.
Distribution of Assistive Devices
By August 2023, 68,842 assistive devices (including artificial limbs, wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, walking frames, white canes, elbow crutches, and sewing machines) had been distributed free of cost.
Special Schools
- 74 government-supported schools for children with intellectual disabilities operate under NDDF.
- Teachers’ and staff salaries are paid according to the National Pay Scale 2015.
- Currently, there are 1,103 teachers/staff and 10,889 students.
Special Schools for Children with Autism
- The first school was launched in October 2011 at NDDF headquarters.
- Now, 12 schools operate across Dhaka, six divisional cities, Gaibandha, and Bishwanath Upazila.
- Curriculum includes literacy, numeracy, daily living activities, communication, music, play, behaviour management, and rehabilitation.
- In the current academic year, 160 children with autism are enrolled free of charge.
Autism Resource Centre
- Established in 2010 at NDDF headquarters.
- Provides therapies, counselling, and parental support.
- As of September 2023, 31,988 individuals had received free therapy services.
Grants and Financial Assistance
- NGO Support: Tk. 16 crore distributed (2003–2021).
- Individual Grants: Tk. 98 lakh distributed up to August 2023.
Job Fairs and Employment
- Employment fairs were organised in 2016 and 2018 in Dhaka.
- 105 persons with disabilities received immediate employment.
- A Job Placement unit monitors their progress.
Training Programmes
- Staff training: 4,755 trained locally, 215 abroad.
- Parents/caregivers training: 1,032 trained in daily life management, behaviour, education, and socialisation.
Hostels & Homes
- Working men’s and women’s hostel: Capacity expanded to 40; over 500 beneficiaries so far.
- Orphanage: 42 disabled or orphaned children are cared for at NDDF’s own-funded home.
Observance of Special Days
- International and National Disability Day (3 December) – Processions, rallies, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns, awards.
- World White Cane Safety Day (15 October) – Grants and canes distributed; 100 visually impaired students receive Tk. 5,000 and certificates annually.
- Bangla Sign Language Day (7 February) – Honours and grants to speech- and hearing-impaired students.
Other Initiatives
- Marketing and Exhibition Centre: For products made by disabled persons (under preparation at Subarna Bhaban, Dhaka).
- Sports Complex: A Tk. 887.54 crore project approved in 2021 for athletes with disabilities in Savar; implementation ongoing.
- COVID-19 Relief: Tk. 11 crore distributed to 17,755 persons with disabilities across 63 districts.
- Amtail Village, Sylhet: Special support programme with grants, assistive devices, therapy centre, and a special school for autism.
- Flood Relief: Tk. 24 lakh distributed across 8 flood-affected districts.
Legal Framework
- National Disabled Development Foundation Act, 2023
- Memorandum and Articles of Association, 2020
- Service Rules, 2016
- Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust Act, 2013
- Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013
Policies
- Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust Rules, 2015
- Integrated Special Education Policy, 2019
- Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2015