Findings of a research on neurodevelopmental disabilities in the country on Tuesday revealed that only around one-third of them had access to education.
Participated in by 414 respondents with neurodevelopmental disabilities, the study also found that only around one-fifth of the 278 adult individuals of the cohort had access to employment.
The economic burden of healthcare expenditure resulting from limited income of the families of these people was significant, with many study participants鈥� family relying on low-cost government healthcare services.
The study titled 鈥楽tatus of health, education, and employment among persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities in Bangladesh鈥� also revealed that specialised education, health and employment facilities for such conditions are still scarce.
The findings were presented at a national dissemination event organised by BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University in partnership with Apasen International, an organisation focused on improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and other special needs, at a hotel in Dhaka city.
The research was conducted in 33 districts between June 2023 and June this year in which of the 414 respondents 59.91 per cent were male and 40.09 per cent female.
The respondents, 88.66 per cent of which were from rural areas, were suffering from autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, according to the study report.
While presenting the findings, lead researcher and co-director of Centre of Excellence for Urban Equity and Health at BRAC University Professor Md Tanvir Hasan said that the research aimed to assess the health, education and employment situation of the persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities in the country.
The survey revealed that only 37.12 per cent participants had ever been enrolled in school at any point in their lifetime, with most reaching only preschool or primary level.
Among those enrolled in educational institutions, 60.89 per cent were male and 39.11 per cent were female.
Among those enrolled, only 8.71 per cent reported the availability of a special education plan at their schools, and 5.23 per cent reported the availability of therapeutic rehabilitation support in their schools.
Employment data collected from the survey participants, who were equal or above 18 years old, revealed that only 16.48 per cent of them were engaged in any type of work during their lifetime.
Among them 88.71 per cent were male and 11.29 per cent were female.
The survey also found that out of the 414 participants only 11.11 per cent used assistive devices like spectacles, hearing aids, walking sticks, wheelchairs and prosthetic devices.
Also, 61.11 per cent participants with autism spectrum disorder, 60.87 per cent with intellectual disability, 57.14 per cent with cerebral palsy, and 72.73 per cent with Down syndrome accessed government health services.
While addressing as the chief guest, the interim government鈥檚 adviser for the social welfare ministry Sharmeen Soneya Murshid said that there was an urgent need for building a pool of expert human resources for this sector and improve the existing facilities.
Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education, a non-governmental body, urged coordination among all relevant ministries to work in this regard.
Several recommendations were made in the findings, including transforming the existing healthcare, education and training infrastructure facilities making them disability-friendly and a comprehensive approach for strengthening policy enforcement.
At the event, persons with neurodevelopment disabilities shared their experiences.
The programme was also attended by BRAC public health school adviser professor Mushtaque Chowdhury and Apasen UK and Apasen International chief executive Mahmud Hasan and head of communication and policy Bulbul Hasan.
