Why a Directory of OPDs?

Persons with disabilities are at the heart of disability inclusion, where their active and meaningful participation is one of the key indicators. Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) play a significant role in disability inclusion. Many persons with disabilities have their first steps towards development and being leaders, professionals and change-makers through getting involved with OPDs. OPDs are platforms for many persons with disabilities to raise their voice for equal participation and rights. OPDs movement is a vehicle for empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

OPDs demonstrate big impacts even with small supports they receive. They are changing derogatory and charity mindset through showing potentials and leadership of persons with disabilities - they are not recipients or project beneficiaries only. Persons with disabilities also the contributors to the society like others. Thus, OPDs bring a paradigm shift of attitude to 'being with persons with disabilities’ from 'to do something for persons with disabilities' - which is a prerequisite for disability inclusion.

There are hundreds OPDs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bangladesh, as a result of initiatives of some international and national non-government organizations. These organizations have also published directories of OPDs. However, this Directory of OPDs has three distinctive features: i) The compiled OPDs here have legal entity i.e., registration, basic organizational structure such as vision, mission, governing body, bylaws, organogram, policies, procedures, etc. ii) They are from all Disability Networks of Bangladesh – it does not focus on any specific network only. iii) It is a Web-based Directory of OPDs and just one click away for all.

We have all efforts to bring together all registered OPDs of Bangladesh in this digital platform. Yet, few OPDs could not be reached yet. But this is not the end! This Web Directory of OPDs is updated regularly following changes in OPDs movement.

Turning Point Foundation acknowledges generous supports from the government of Bangladesh, donors, OPDs, disability organizations, persons with disabilities, well-wishers. A huge thanks to Abilis Foundation for supporting publication of this Web Directory of OPDs. We are also thankful to Commonwealth Foundation for supporting publications of both printed and pdf version of A Directory of OPDs, which was a groundwork for this web directory. If this directory helps to reach OPDs in Bangladesh, our initiatives will be successful.

We wholeheartedly welcome your advice and cooperation to our initiatives to promote active and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and OPDs at all level on equal basis.