Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun is a citizen of Bangladesh by birth. He is a father of a daughter with Intellectual Disability; but he could not imagine the problem at that time. He tried to do something. In the circumstances, he established the ‘SWID Jamalpur Branch’ in 1987 and started ‘Special School’. He admitted his daughter Jannatul Ferdaus Monti in SWID School and he involved himself in the SWID as a General Secretary. Monti gradually improved with good performance in social communication and cultural activities. She has been rehabilitated by marrige on mutual understanding within both the families. Monti is now a good mother of a son and a daughter. This success has inspired him which he exposed to other parents and community people. He also came forward in sharing the disability problem, their special needs, rights based equal opportunities with education, health, social security, entertainment, eployment, sports and cultural activities, rehabilitation for mainstreaming in the society with social dignity. He is also working to meet up this Claim of Originality through social cooperation and Government initiatives as per disability Rights protection Act-2013 and NDD Trust Act-2013 of Bangladesh.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun has proved his dynamic personality through his life time working of dedication in the field of Disabilities in our Country. He reached the message towards the Parents of a child with Neuro- Developmental Disabilities that they should not be dishearted since the problem is not caused by mental disease. It is a cause of less I.Q; but the child bears some possibilities and potentiality to achieve working skill. They can perform their abilities in learning, vocational training, sports and cultural competition, scout discipline and winning of the ‘World Special Olympics’ gold medal. Parents are benefitted in having information’s about disability and Neuro-developmental disabilities, their developmental activities and educational services from the SWID Schools throughout the country, Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation / National Foundation for Development of the Disabled People and its ‘Seba Sahajyao Kendra’/ Centre for Assistance Services at different districts of Bangladesh and from publications of Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun.
His publications are -
i) “Combating– Descrimination” with important Articles/ Papers concerning Disabilities, Neuro-Developmental Disabilities, Advocacy, Social Awareness, Protection of Equal Rights and Rehabilitation, Sports and Cultural Activities.
ii) “Protibondhita Samporkito Nirbachito Probandho” (in Bangla). Selected paper on the Disability Issue.
iii) “Maa Babar Abortomane Buddhi Protibondhider Abosthan” (in Bangla). The state of persons with disability in absence of the parents.
iv) “Anushiloner Madhyame Buddhi Protibondhider Attmonirvorshilotar
Proshikkhan” (in Bangla). Training on the self reliant of person with intellectual disability – Throuth practices and excercise
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun also publicized the message in arrangement of seminar, workshop and holding of National conferences under SWID Bangladesh to create momentum for the awareness and sensitization of community people to accept integral part of the society. He organized developmental activities for social movement, mobilize social responsibilities and advocacy together for better and meaningful life of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) through Government and non-Govt. Organizations. SWID has benefited by Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun since this disability issue been highlighted both by the Government and Voluntary Organizations working in the field of disability through means of communications for positive awareness created by Mr. Jowaherul islam Mamun. Govt also included the issue of Inclusive Education of the Children with disabilities in the National Education Policy in providing financial support to promote special education programmes of SWID through “Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation /National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled, Ministry of Social Welfare, Govt. of Bangladesh.
SWID evaluated that the people came forward in changing of ‘negative attitude’ towards the disabled people; since they can be normalized with their social, working, planning and leadership abilities through social cooperation.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun involved himself with hard working in the field of Disabilities (PWD) and specially focus on Neuro-Developmental Disabilities (NDD) as a ‘Social Worker’ since 1987 through “Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh (SWID Bangladesh) as a ‘Path Founder and Path Finder Organization (recognized by the Government of Bangladesh as the nationwide and pioneer organization). Its administrative body ‘National Executive Committee (NEC) formed / elected by the Council Members comprising of 27 Members with various positions as per provision of its Constitution. In the process Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun was elect as Member of National Executive Committee (NEC) in 1989-91, 2nd Joint Secretary General for the period 1991-1993 as a council member from SWID Jamalpur Branch of which he is the founder. He is a real ‘Friend of the PWD (Persons with Intellectual Disabilities).’ The parents members /voters elected him as Secretary General (1993-99 (three terms) of SWID Bangladeh and then 1st Vice-President for the period 1999- 2001. He has taken responsibilities of the organization as elected Secretary General again (2005-2009) for the next two terms tenure. Then elected as President for the period 2009-2013(two terms). The National Council re-elects him as Secretary General ( next two terms 2013 – 2017) for smooth running of the Organization. In his working scope he also initiated to organize the Net-working Organization “National Forum of Organization Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) and later on elected as Secretary General for the period 1995-1999. In this time he on behalf of SWID and NFOWD has taken strong initiatives to prepare “National Policy for the Disabled,” National Welfare Trust and formation of “National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled People.” Once in an opportunity to propose this issues to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina during inauguration of 13th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation in November 1997 at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and in the same year in December 2nd South Asian Regional ‘CBR’ (Community Based Rehabilitation) Conference held at Osmani Memorial Hall, Dhaka as the Secretary of Organizing Committee of the both Conferences. In Continuation of this attempt we have got ‘Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation (JPUF), ‘National Disabilities Welfare Act.- 2001 and later on ‘Disability Rights Protection Act-2013’ and ‘Neuro-Developmental Disability Trust fund Act-2013’ approved by the National Parliament of Bangladesh.
In expansion works of SWID Bangladesh Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun established more then 5 hundred Branches of Organization and Special Schools for the Intellectually Disabled & Autistic Children with a working team of parents & professionals covering 61 Districts of 8 Divisions areas of the Country. He also established SWID Laboratory Model School, National Institute for the Intellectually Disabled and Autism (NIIDA), National Sports and Cultural Centre, development of Clinical Services including Assessment & Counselling Section, Speech therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy under the NIIDA and SWID Teachers Training College (B.S.Ed. Course) under National University ,Government of Bangladesh.
He is promoting Advocacy & Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programmes, Integrated Special Education, Inclusive Education and arrangement of Teachers Training Programmes in the Govt. Primary Schools and in collaboration of BRAC Non-Formal Primary Education for implementation of Inclusive Education through SWID Schools at different districts and Upa-Zila (Sub-disstricts) and Union Council areas of the country.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun contributed a lot in the field of Sports & Cultural for the PWID & Autism in establishment of Special Olympics Bangladesh (SOB) under Special Olympics International, National Association of Sports for the Persons with Disability (NASPD), Association for the Welfare of the Disabled People (AWDP), Welfare and Development Association for the Speech & Hearing Impaired (WDASHI) at Jamalpur and development of cultural activities through a cultural organization “BIBORTAN” at SWID. He has provided full cooperation to establish ‘Proyash’ specialized school at Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore, Bogra, Rangpur, Savar and Ghatail Cantonment under Bangladesh Army and National Sports Complex under National Foundation for Development of the Disabled People, Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Bangladesh.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun also worked as the Vice-chairman of SOB, Vice-chairman of National Paralympic Committee of Bangladesh (NPCB), Vice-Chairman of Bangladesh Blind Cricket Council (BBCC). He lead the delegation of Athletes Team of Bangladesh in the world Special Olympics Summer Games in USA and Greece in 1999, 2011, Floor Hocky Team in South Korea in 2013, Asia-Pacific Special Olympics Games in Australia - 2013 and achieved bright success for Bangladesh in winning the 116 Gold, 85 Silver and 55 Bronze Medals.
He has introduced and included the events of Special Olympics in the SWID’s Divisional and National Sports & Cultural Compitition for the students of SWID’s Schools every year as Annual Programmes. SWID Cultural Team participate the International Cultural Festival in Bhuboneswar and Dance programmes ‘SHAMBHAV’ of A.L.P.A.N.A (Association of Learning Parforming Arts and Normative Action) in New Delhi, India every year and win the best awards with Crests.
He promotes Extra-Curricular activities for SWID’s students besides their
Institutional Education such as field trip/educational tour to gain knowledge about natural environment with various aspects, observance of Birth Anniversary of Father of Nation Bangobandho Sheikh Mujbur Rahman and National Martyr Day, International Mother-Language & Shaheed Dibosh, Independent Day,Victory Day, Celebration of Bangla New Year, Poet Rabindra Joyonti and Nazrul Joyonti, World Autism Awareness Day and International & National Disability Day. So SWID’s students can perform cultural events in the programmes of such Days. They also participate the Govt. Programmes on World Child Rights Day arranged by Bangladesh Shishu Academy, International Disabilities Day and World Autism Day arranged by Government of Bangladesh and World Yoga Day. He started Scouting Prorammes in SWID and involved the PWID in Scout programmes.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun also worked as Journalist and Columnist since 1969 upto-1996 and Editor of the ‘Weekly Jogot.’ Besides this he organized as a presenter of the Disabilities related live programme named “Amadero Bhalobashun”/ love for PWD in Bangladesh Television (BTV) and “Hellow Apnake Bolsi” which telecasted regularly up to 2015. The people of all sectors participated in the programmes through their questions about “Neuro-Developmental Disabilities over telephone and got answers from the presenter and discussants. It was continuing for long days as very popular and positive responses. He also acted as casual presenter of other TV programmes helped for creation of public awareness about disabilities in the world.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun has involved himself for full time in the social services as an active volunteer for the cause of development of vulnerable and backward people without any financial gain or benefit; but the parents, professional and community peoples have been benefitted through his following contribution in Bangladesh:
a. Established 535 Branches of SWID throughout the Country.
b. Initiate and implementation of Inclusive Education concept through SWID’s Schools which now accepted by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary & Mass Education Govt. of Bangladesh. There are 66 thousands Teachers of Govt. Primary Schools have been Trained in Special Education for the PWID and Autism.
c. Proposal accepted by the Government of Bangladesh to approve the National policy for the Disabled, Bangladesh Disability welfare Act.-2001, Establishment of National Foundation for Development of the Disabled People which is now known as Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation (JPUF). Later on the Disability Rights Protection Act.-2013 and Neuro-Developmental Disabilities Rights Act.-2013 has approved and PWD got their real legal rights.
d. Creation of Public Awareness towards the persons with Intellectual Disabilities & Autism for the Special Education & Vocational Training, Employment, Entertainment, Social security and Community Based Rehabilitation.
e. He has abled to change the negative attitude of the parents and community people towards the persons with PWID & Autism and unlocked the potentials of them through the demonstration of their performance in Scouting, Special Olympics, Cultural activities and Productive units.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun organized the 13th Asian Conference from 15-21 November 1997, on Intellectual Disabilities of AFID (Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities) in Bangladesh as Secreatary General of Steering Committee under SWID which inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. He presented Country Paper on the Theme “Rights of persons with Intellectual Disability. The Role of Government and UN Arcsines in Asia and an article “Community Based-Rehabilitation welfare of the persons with intellectual Disabilities” in the Scientific Session of the Conference. He participated the Asian Conferences held in every two years as Head of the Delegation of SWID Bangladesh since SWID is a regular member organization of AFID. He has elected 2nd Vice-President in the 20th AFID held in Korea in 2011 then 1st Vice-President in 22nd AFID held in New Delhi, India and elected as the President of AFID for the period 2015-2017. This election was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka during 22nd Conference. Then the General Assembly elected Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun as the President of AFID for the period 2015 – 2017.
The newly elected President Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun successfully organized the Mid-Term Executive Board Meeting form 18-24 September, 2016 at SWID Auditorium as well as holding of 23rd AFID Conference in 2017. The Board Members from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Philipines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore participated the Conference inaugurated by Hon’ble President of People’s republic of Bangladesh.
He also presented Country Papers on Disability Situation in Bangladesh and CBR Programme in different National and International Conferences and Seminars held in Bangladesh, New Delhi, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Thailands, Norway, Manchester, UK and Washington Seattlec, IASSID ( International Association of Scientific Study on Intellectual Disabilities ), Alabama Burmingham, USA and Portage Programme in Hiroshima, Japan. He presented Country Paper on Intellectual Disabilities in the 16th World Congress of Inclusion International (ILSMH) held in New Delhi, India. He was the Regional coordinator of South Asia CBR net work for the period 1977-1993.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun played a vital role to established a Trust for Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled (TWID) under SWID Bangladeshin in 1994 and organized ‘Training Home’ with a view to make the adult children with Intellectually Disabled and Autism for their ‘Independent Living’ in absence of their parents and protect and preserve their assets as legal rights under supervision of SWID Bangladesh.
Other related informations about Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun:
Mr. Mamun is a life member of the following Organizations:
i) Bangladesh Red Crescent Society,
ii) Family Planning Association of Bangladesh,
iii) Town Social Service Project Council,
iv) Jamalpur Patients Welfare Associations,
v) Jamalpur Sador Hospital,
vi) National Chest Disease Hospital, Mohakhali,
vii) National Cancer Research Institute & Hospital.
Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun has been congratulated for ‘Awarded as a successful ‘Social worker’ to overcome disabilities by the Ministry of Social Welfare and received the Crest & Certificate of this awared from hands of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh during obnservance of 27th International & 20th National Disability Day on 3rd December, 2018 at the Bangubandhu International Conferance Centre (BICC) Dhaka.
SWID Bangladesh congratulate him for ‘Initiative to organize of Special Education and Inclusive Education’ for the Persons with Special Needs for their potential working skill development, mainstreaming in the society and quality life living.
