A Bangladesh where disability is never a barrier to dignity, rights or opportunity.
We work alongside persons with disabilities, their families and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to advance rights, access and inclusion — in schools, workplaces, health systems, public services and every level of government.
Program at a glance
Nearly 16 million people in Bangladesh live with some form of disability, yet only a fraction access inclusive education, rehabilitation services, decent work or the political process. GRM Foundation’s disability program has directly served more than 2,000 persons with disabilities across 18 districts through inclusive schools, assistive technology, community-based rehabilitation, inclusive livelihoods, GBV response and rights-based advocacy. Everything we do is designed with, not for, the disability community — grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Bangladesh’s Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013.
The Challenge
Stigma, inaccessible infrastructure, thin services and low expectations keep millions of persons with disabilities out of school, out of work, and out of public life. Rural women and children with disabilities face the sharpest barriers: they are twice as likely to be out of school, four times more likely to experience violence, and rarely reached by mainstream development programs.
Our Approach
A twin-track model: mainstream disability inclusion in every school, clinic, workplace and public service — while providing disability-specific supports such as assistive devices, rehabilitation, sign-language interpretation and OPD strengthening. Every intervention is co-designed with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.
Who we serve
- Children with disabilities aged 3–18 and their families
- Women and girls with disabilities
- Persons with disabilities entering the workforce
- Adults with acquired disabilities (accident, stroke, ageing)
- Caregivers, parents and community volunteers
- Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and self-help groups
What we do in the field
Inclusive education
Retrofitting schools, training teachers in universal design for learning, individualized education plans, and dedicated support for children with intellectual, sensory and physical disabilities.
Assistive technology & devices
Wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, white canes, low-vision aids, communication boards and low-cost 3D-printed devices — delivered through community distribution camps and follow-up.
Community-based rehabilitation
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, early-intervention services and mental-health support through mobile teams and local rehabilitation centres.
Accessibility & universal design
Auditing and retrofitting schools, clinics, public offices, transport and digital platforms for physical, digital and communication access.
Inclusive livelihoods & employment
Skills training, apprenticeships, workplace accommodations and disability-confident employer partnerships to place PWDs in decent jobs and enterprises.
OPD strengthening
Leadership, governance, finance and advocacy training for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities so they can lead policy dialogue at every level.
Rights & policy advocacy
Working with parliament, ministries and local government to implement the PWD Act 2013, CRPD, and to secure inclusive budgets and disability-disaggregated data.
Early identification & family support
Screening for developmental delay, parent support groups, and coaching for caregivers of young children with disabilities.
GBV response for women with disabilities
Accessible one-stop crisis centers, legal aid, safe shelter referral and psychosocial care tailored to women and girls with disabilities.
Our project methodology
- Baseline assessments with OPDs and Washington Group questions to identify barriers and priorities in each project area.
- Co-design of interventions with persons with disabilities, families and OPDs — 'Nothing about us, without us.'
- Twin-track delivery: disability-specific services + mainstreaming into schools, clinics, workplaces and public services.
- Continuous monitoring with disability-disaggregated data (age, sex, disability type, severity).
- Advocacy and evidence-sharing with local and national government, media and international partners.
How we measure impact
- % of children with disabilities enrolled and retained in mainstream schools
- # of persons receiving assistive devices, rehabilitation and follow-up
- % of project schools, clinics and public buildings meeting accessibility standards
- # of OPDs strengthened and engaged in local governance & budgeting
- # of policy and budget wins secured through joint advocacy
- % of women & girls with disabilities accessing GBV and SRHR services
Ayesha's wheelchair changed the whole village.
When Ayesha received her first wheelchair at age 9, it wasn’t just her mobility that changed — her local school built its first ramp, three more children with disabilities enrolled, and her mother now leads a caregiver support group of 40 families. GRM Foundation has since supported 214 more children across her upazila with assistive devices, therapy and inclusive education — and Ayesha, now 15, is leading her school’s disability rights club.
Would you like to start a project with us?
Let’s work together to create lasting impact. Partner with GRM Foundation today and turn ideas into action for a better tomorrow.