Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) is an organization that has been working to improve the status of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh since its establishment in 1985. It was started by a group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) from all sectors of society who were motivated and committed to actively participate in and contribute to the nation's development. BPKS was formed as a self-help non-governmental, voluntary organization under the initiative and leadership of a Bangladeshi with a disability, Mr. Md. Abdus Sattar Dulal, who is currently the Member Secretary and Executive Director of the organization.

BPKS began as a job placement, vocational training, advocacy, community based rehabilitation and awareness raising agency. Between 1985 and 1996, 10 000 PWDs directly benefited from BPKS services.

BPKS became a member of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) in 1992. In 1993 DPI held a training seminar in Dhaka – this was a turning point for the organization and for the disability movement in Bangladesh, with disability being confirmed as a development not a welfare issue. Influenced by initiatives undertaken by the United Nations and Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) to increase the participation of PWDs in social, cultural, recreational and community life and in decision-making at all levels, BPKS changed its approach in 1996. This change in approach reflected BPKS’ recognition that the needs and expectations of people with disabilities were not being met and there was no effective grassroots disabled peoples’ movement in Bangladesh. Hence its new strategy – Persons with Disabilities’ Self-Initiatives to Development (PSID) – was launched. This approach has been the sole approach of the organization since 1996.

[PSID History] [PSID Activities]