People with a disability in Bangladesh face particular hardship in terms of their psychosocial situation and human rights. Most poor families are unable to afford the surgery and physiotherapy that would provide treatment, support, and increased independence. People with disabilities are often denied access to education due to poor facilities and discrimination, while most shops, offices, public and private buildings and even footpaths do not accommodate their needs. Unable to gain a driving license, public transport is also inaccessible due to the lack of safe or adapted facilities and lack of relevant training for staff. Few disabled people are able to gain employment and the independence that comes with an income. The result is that many people with a disability are denied the opportunity to fully participate within the community.

The Disability Rehabilitation Programme was established in 1998, with the support of the Centre for Disability in Development and the Government of Bangladesh. Trained staff provide free physiotherapy, counselling and support, helping to improve the quality of the lives of disabled people and their families. We work to empower people with disabilities to participate in social and economic activities, and to reduce the barriers which prevent access to services and opportunities. To ensure that the work is sustainable, we offer training to the families of those who can benefit from physiotherapy techniques or speech therapy, which empowers the family to offer ongoing support themselves. We also work with the community to educate local people about disability issues, increase understanding and change attitudes.

The Disability Rehabilitation Programme has worked directly with over 300 disabled beneficiaries.

To help some of the 1.3 million people in Bangladesh affected by a visual impairment (Centre for Disability in Development, 2003), BRIF has been running Eye Camps since 1995. In many cases, eye problems can be easily treated. For example, 650,000 people have lost their sight through removable cataracts, with an estimated 130,000 new cases developing annually (Gausul Azam BNSB Eye Hospital 2004). However, the cost of the treatment makes it prohibitive to most underprivileged rural people. BRIF's eye camps provide free medical and surgical treatment to rural people, and in some cases have restored the sight of people who have been blind for years.

Each camp runs over several days and treats over 100 patients. Local doctors give up their time and expertise to perform the surgery, and a dedicated team of volunteers help set up and assist at the clinic. In 2005, we are also opening up our service to hearing impaired people, to help restore the hearing of people with treatable ear problems.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Eye and Ear camp, please see the information in the Volunteer Action Projects page.