A comprehensive training and transition model involving hundreds of partnerships

The Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), a non-profit organization in Bangladesh supported by CBM Australia, is helping a large number of people with disabilities to get employment, work, and vocational training. CDD works in partnership with a network of over 350 organizations both nationally and internationally.

Problems Targeted

In Bangladesh, persons with disabilities are often excluded from society and open labour market opportunities, as the general conception is that they will not meet the necessary job requirements. 


Solution, Innovation and Impact

The organization engages in providing the following activities for people with disabilities: 
 Healthcare and rehabilitation services 
 Education for children 
 Livelihood related services, including for caregivers 
 Disaster risk reduction training 
 Various forms of capacity-building and related training 
 Advocacy related activities 
 Personnel and logistics related costs 
CDD prepares persons with disabilities for the open labour market by providing them with skills, vocational training, and mentoring. Additionally, self-help groups are formed in order to support the 
 targeted group and to allow them to work together on issues of advocacy, meeting, and lobbying with respective stakeholders. In rural environments people with disabilities are mainly employed in agriculture-related activities, such as animal rearing, vegetable gardening, handicrafts making, hand looming, farming, cell phone and electronic equipment repairing, and tailoring as well as working in fish hatcheries and small grocery shops. In urban areas people with disabilities work in garment factories (e.g., sewing machine operators), various shops (as salespersons), flower selling, electronic and welding workshops, and offices (office assistant, computer operator, etc.). Most persons who are employed work five days per week, approximately 8 to 10 hours per day.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The CBM-Australia has funded the project at a total cost of US$851,537 for five years (2010–2017). The organisation aims to reaching out to more marginalized people with disabilities in the future.

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