Events

The International Conference on Economic Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities was jointly organised by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University, and the PENDA Programme at the International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) from 18-19 January 2026, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

This conference brought together academics and practitioners working on disability and economic inclusion, people with disabilities and their representative organizations, policymakers, and donors. The purpose of the event was to share evidence on what works in advancing economic inclusion for persons with disabilities and to strengthen cross-sector collaboration for meaningful action.

Day 1 | 18 January 2026

Inaugural Session

The event opened with a welcome address by Dr Munshi Sulaiman (Research Director, BIGD) followed by a virtual keynote delivered by Dr Morgon Banks (Associate Professor, ICED, LSHTM). Remarks were also delivered by the Special Guest, Tahera Jabeen (Social Development Adviser at the British High Commission Dhaka) and the Chief Guest, Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar (Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University).

Speakers collectively stressed that without access to reliable and rigorous evidence, efforts by governments, practitioners, and donors to promote economic inclusion are unlikely to be impactful or cost-effective.

Dr Banks highlighted the significant economic costs of excluding persons with disabilities from the labour force, noting that robust evidence on effective interventions to improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities remains extremely limited.

Dr Ferhat Anwar shared, “Inclusivity is not about defining people by what they lack; it is about recognizing where they can contribute. And when barriers or gaps are appropriately addressed, their ability to contribute grows even further.”

Moderated Panel Discussion | Conceptualizing Economic Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities

The session was moderated by Dr Selim Jahan (Professorial Fellow, BIGD), and featured Sharmind Neelormi (Professor, Jahangirnagar University) and Iftekhar Mahmud (Director, B-SCAN) as discussants.

Panellists examined how economic inclusion is shaped by policies, social attitudes, and structural barriers, noting that despite progressive policies in Bangladesh, weak implementation limits real impact. They highlighted ongoing challenges including climate vulnerability, limited public sector opportunities for persons with disabilities, and the importance of youth-led advocacy. The discussion emphasized the need for life-cycle–based support, simpler administrative processes, and stronger enforcement, alongside technology-enabled and accountable systems to translate inclusion commitments into meaningful outcomes.

Plenary Session 1 | Livelihood Development and Economic Inclusion

Presenters:

• Md Golam Kibria, Senior Manager, Disability Inclusion, Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme
• Dr Elijah Kipchumba, Research Fellow, BIGD
• Mohima Gomes, Senior Research Associate, BIGD

Moderator: Dr Munshi Sulaiman, Research Director, BIGD

Discussants: Hossain Ishrath Adib, Senior Director, Integrated Development, Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), BRAC

The session focused on evidence and practice around disability-inclusive poverty graduation and livelihood interventions. The session opened with a presentation by BRAC on their Disability-Inclusive Ultra-Poor Graduation (DIUPG) Programme. The presentation emphasized the strong intersection between disability and extreme poverty, noting that standard household-level graduation approaches are insufficient without targeted support. It further showed evidence on the importance and the relevance of customized support like DIUPG.

Parallel Session 1 | Inclusive Education and Caregiving for Children with Disabilities

Presenters:

• Md Al Mahmud, Department of International Relations, Gopalganj Science and Technology University
• Maliha Noshin Khan, Senior Research Associate, BIGD
• Anika Tasnim Prapti, Research Associate, BIGD

Moderator: Dr Shaila Ahmed, Research Fellow and Head of the Gender and Social Development Cluster, BIGD

Discussant: Aouana Marzia, Technical Expert – Inclusive Education, Sightsavers

The session examined how educational exclusion, caregiving burdens, and systemic barriers shape the long-term economic outcomes of children with disabilities in Bangladesh.

Parallel Session 2 | Advocacy and Representation

Presenters:

• Dr David Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University
• Aeyasha Akter, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Bangladesh University of Professionals
• Tasnim Jerin Mim, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka

Moderator: Masuma Billah, Programme Head of BRAC gender Justice and Diversity Programme

Discussant: Dr Narayan C. Das, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Economics Cluster, BIGD

The session explored how advocacy, institutional practices, media narratives, and policy incentives shape the inclusion of persons with disabilities in higher education, public discourse, and formal employment.

Dr Dowland highlighted the persistent challenges faced by students with disabilities in higher education. He outlined BRAC University’s evolving approach to disability inclusion, emphasizing practice-led, student-centric solutions, while acknowledging that inclusion remains an ongoing process.

Day 2 | 19 January 2026

Plenary Session 2 | Economic Inclusion for Youth with Disabilities

Presenters

• Ashik Sufi Islam, Senior Research Associate, BIGD
• Sapana Basnet, Senior Research Associate, Sightsavers

Moderator: Md Nazmus Sakib, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, UNDP

Discussant: Md Al Imran, Head of Operations, BRAC Skills Development Programme

The session began with a presentation by BIGD on an impact evaluation of the STAR+ program, a disability-focused adaptation of BRAC’s flagship skills training initiative. The findings showed that the program increased employment, improved working hours, and raised monthly earnings, with comparable impacts across gender and disability severity. The second presentation, which drew from research by Sightsavers, examined the livelihood aspirations of youth with disabilities in Bangladesh and Kenya, highlighting strong ambitions for education and decent work. The discussion emphasized that training alone is not enough, pointing to the need for accessible classrooms, supportive services, transportation, and inclusive program design from the start.

Parallel Sessions 3 | Inclusive Employment Solutions

Presenters:

• Dilmurad Yusupov, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Tokyo
• Md Jahirul Islam, Founder and Executive Director, Team Inclusion Bangladesh
• Sabikunnahar Niuly, Department of Economics, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University

Moderator: Dr Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Discussant: Farjana Reza, National Programme Coordinator, Social Protection, International Labour Organization (ILO)

The session examined practical, policy, and technology-driven approaches to advancing disability-inclusive employment across diverse contexts. Presentations highlighted innovative interventions—including a digital recruitment platform in Uzbekistan, disability inclusion training in Bangladesh’s financial sector, and mobile-based vocational training—demonstrating their potential to improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities. Discussions underscored that sustainable inclusion requires coordinated, system-level reforms, institutional commitment, and rights-based approaches alongside targeted programmes.