Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh, now better known as SWID, Bangladesh, is the pioneer organization for the cause of the intellectually disabled in this country. It is a non-government, voluntary, social service organization. It is also only the national organization of its kind with Branches at different parts of the country. Its head-office is located at 4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka.
Before the establishment of this Society, the elite parents who were naturally very concerned for the future of their intellectually disabled children, were looking for a way out. Some such parents in Dhaka city, Mrs. Johura Rahman, Mr. D P Barua, Mrs. Salma Huque took lead in this effort. Fortunately Dr. Sultana S. Zaman, a dynamic person and then Associate Professor of Psychology, Dhaka University who had specialized on mental retardation (the name by which intellectual disability was referred at that time) during her research work abroad, was also looking for an opportunity to try her scheme for the education of the educable intellectually disabled. With her help, the parents finalized a plan for the education of the intellectually disabled children in normal schools in separate classes to have thereby some opportunity for their socialization in place of segregation together with their possible education.
They then approached Mr. Radha .Ballab Shaha, Principal, Willes Little Flower School, Dhaka with a request for his support to the scheme by providing accommodation for the special class in his institution. Mr. Saha readily agreed to this request and thus the first special education class for the intellectually disabled in Bangladesh was started on January 4, 1978 in Willes Little Flower School in a separate house at the center of the school campus. This was followed with a second special education class in January 1979 in Bangladesh Girls Guide Association School. These successes were prelude for an approach for the integrated education of the intellectually disabled in mainstream schools and with normal children at different places in Bangladesh. Most of the schools/classes of SWID, Bangladesh for the intellectually disabled are now located in mainstream school premises.
Formation of Society
Some parents of the intellectually disabled children, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers who had been exchanging views for the welfare of such children, held a series of meetings in November, 1977. They then established an association named as “Society for the Care and Education of the Mentally Retarded Children” (SCEMRC) on December 24, 1977 with specific objectives and a constitution. Dr. Sultana S. Zaman was the Convenor of the first.
Organizing Committee and Mr. D.P Barua, Mrs. Zohura Rahman, Mrs. Salma Huque and Mrs. Hosne Ara Kamal were its Members. This was replaced by a full-fledged Executive Committee as per its constitution in a General Meeting of the Society held on March 23, 1978. The Society was also registered in 1978 with the Social Welfare Directorate of the Government as a voluntary agency. It has since undergone rapid expansion with more and more members, students and increase in its service units/Branches at different parts of Bangladesh. The name of the Society was changed to “Society for the Care and Education of Mentally Retarded, Bangladesh”(SCEMRB) in 1988 with some modification in the constitution to make it a national organization, a form in which it was then already functioning and to change its character as a parent organization. In 1998, the name of the Society was again changed to “Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh” (SWID, Bangladesh) to give preference for the words “intellectual disabled/disability” in place of “mental retarded/retardation’. The Society has since been functioning as a federal organization with autonomy to its Branches to pave the way for their fast development and expansion of services for the intellectually disabled.
The main objectives of the Society as per its present constitution are:
· To promote the welfare, care, education, habilitation and rehabilitation of persons with intellectual disability and to advocate for their cause and rights.
· To assist parents and guardians to provide for the care and welfare of persons with intellectual disability.
· To adopt measures for setting up Special Education Classes, Vocational Training Centers, Sheltered Workshops, Employment Facilities, Residential Homes, Clinics, Teacher Training Units and colleges, Institutions, Academics and Universities etc. aimed at serving persons with intellectual disability.
· To mobilize support of the government, public bodies, trusts and national and international societies for the welfare of persons with intellectual disability.
· To bring out publications on intellectual disability, its causes, prevention etc. and rehabilitation of persons with intellectual disability.
· To establish Branches all over the country to promote further the objectives of the Society.
· To raise fund for the welfare of persons with intellectual disability and to invest the surplus, if any, in security deposits or other form of safe investment for better use in future for persons with intellectual disability.
Association with NFU (Norwegian Association for the Mentally Retarded)
The Society (SCEMRB) found its greatest and trusted friend in 1981 when it came into contact with NFPU, Norwegian Parents Organization for the Mentally Retarded. Dr. Sultana S. Zaman visited Norway in April 1981 at the invitation of NFPU and Mr. Sigurd Gohli, Secretary General of NFPU visited Dhaka in June, 1981 with a TV team for an evaluation of our Society’s programmes. This led to a fraternal collaboration between Bangladesh and Norway and to a glorious time for the Society. NFPU came forward with necessary financial support for not only the existing activities of the Society, but also advised us through a consultant/technical representative for new programmes and for the expansion of our activities with new Branches at different parts of the country. This lasted for 18 years (from 1982-1999). The Society through its own efforts and NFPU’s supports established 40 Branches throughout the country that are now providing education/training to the intellectually disabled students. During the years of collaboration NFPU also supported programmes of the Society for training of the teachers and other staffs of the Branches, the training of parents, social workers and other relevant persons. Some teachers of this Society were also trained abroad and/or had international exposure at the expenses of NFPU.
Different kinds of advocacy works and awareness building efforts were also undertaken during this period. National level seminar and conferences were held on was held on most of these years to project the cause of the intellectually disabled on a national scale and to create awareness among professionals and non-professionals and the general people. These national conferences/seminars were on themes as below:
Themes Year
1. Causes of mental retardation and its prevention 1980
2. International Year of Disabled Persons 1981
3. Development of Parents Association for the mentally retarded 1982
4. Prospects for the care, education and rehabilitation of the
mentally retarded in Bangladesh 1983
5. Rehabilitation of the mentally retarded by 2000 A.D. in
Bangladesh 1984
6. Legal rights and protection of the mentally retarded persons
in Bangladesh 1985
7. Social rights of the mentally retarded 1986
8. Mental Retardation 1990
9. Role of Government for the welfare of the mentally retarded
in Bangladesh 1991
10. United Nations Convention on the rights of the child, 1989 and
its implementation in Bangladesh for the mentally retarded 1992
11. Education for all: rights of the mentally retarded in Bangladesh 1994
All these national conferences were attended by high profile personalities and professionals of this country including the Head of the Government of the state and govt. and ministers along with secretaries. The press and national media provided good support to the objects of the conferences/of the Society by giving wide publicity.
Activities with International Societies
To align itself with regional and international organizations, the Society has been a member of Asian Federation for the Mentally Retarded (AFMR) which is now renamed as Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities (AFID) and of the Inclusion International (previously ILSMH, International League of Societies for the Mental Handicapped). The Society has played very important roles in both of these organizations. The Society participated and played active role in all the biennial conferences of AFMR with the possible largest delegations from its general members, office bearers and professionals. The 13th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation (ACMR), an international Conference of the members countries of AFMR was held in Dhaka in 1997 when -the president of AFMR was Mrs. Shahar Banu Salam, one of the senior most members of the Society. The Conference was inaugurated by the then Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It was attended by 133 foreign delegates from 22 countries and 245 local delegates. After 20Yers of time in 2017-223rd Conference of AFID was held organized by SWID which Jowaherul Islam Mamun was the President of AFID. Our Society’s representatives attended different conferences of Inclusion International (ILSMH). Commander (Retd.) A. J. M. Hamed Hossain, a member of the Society was made the Chairman on Asian Affairs at its 11th World Congress held in New Delhi in 1994 and worked as such for 2 years. An intellectually disabled person, Shahen Rasul, trained in Dhaka was chosen as a self advocate and attended its conference held at The Hague, Netherlands in 1998.
Assistance from the donors
The Society could not have undertaken so much and so many different kinds of activities for the intellectually disabled without the support of foreign and local organizations. In this connection the support of LEV for the education and livelihood skill development training and assistance of the intellectually disabled children of slum areas of Dhaka city and for a rehabilitation project for suitably trained intellectually disabled persons. The Society tried to establish and run permanent commercial factories for the empowerment of the rehabilitation of the intellectually disabled with this support. Bishop Bekkars Foundation of the Netherlands gave the technical support for the development of the physiotherapy unit and for the training of professionals in this field in Netherlands, Germany and England to work as physiotherapists. Oxfam, Caritas are such other organization also cooperate SWID to run the activities. Locally the Society obtained the highest amount of financial help from late Mia Amanullah of Chittagong for the construction of a 2 storeyed building with a sum amounting to Tk.45.00 lac for the Chittagong Branch with a physiotherapy unit and a K.G school for Reverse Integration. BRAC the largest NGO of our country have also helped SWID and its Branches with big donation. BRAC is also helping the SWID to educate the educable unreached intellectually disabled children through its Non-Formal Primary Schools in unreached areas of the country. Other important local donors for specific purposes are National Life Insurance Co. (NLI) for the annual sports of Society, A.F. Mojibur Rahaman Foundation, M/S Shaw Wallace Bangladesh Ltd. Mrs. Tahera Huque and others, Nestle Bangladesh Ltd., M/S Fakhruddin & Sons. All the factors collectively and individually have to be considered for future programmes.
The rehabilitation of those who are EMPLOYED with jobs in urban areas, needs not only special/suited training but also co-operation from and follow-ups by their parents/professionals under agreed programme. Those who are not rehabilitated need to be identified at the earliest and appropriate programmes for them have to be determined by consultation with their guardians. Again most of those who are educable can be put in normal schools under special arrangements and with training/understanding with the involved teachers and the school authority. Rehabilitation of such children can be accomplished with necessary step in the disability rights and Protection Law-2013 and NDD Trust Law-2013. SWID is trying to determine the further appropriate measures and programmes and modifications in the existing programmes suitable for our country. It is expected that SWID will play its role for the evaluation of necessary changes and for their implementation to accelerate the development of the intellectually disabled in Bangladesh. SWID Bangladesh is now running schools, training events, vocational and technical education, therapeutic activities, counselling operating NIID and special college for the teachers. Now a days SWID is planning to establish a specialized University and open post-graduation program on Disability with NDDs under the department of SWID NIID.
Formation of other auxiliary organizations
SWID has also been responsible for the formation of 2 other independent organizations to serve the cause of the intellectually disabled. These are: Manoshik Pratibondhi Kalyan Trust, Bangladesh (MPKTB): This was formed by SWID to-work as a Trust for welfare activities for the intellectually disabled persons. This was registered in 1994 as a separate organization and is run by its Board of Trustees as per its own constitution under the guidance and supervision of SWID. Now it has changed the name from MPKTB to TWID Bangladesh, Special Olympic, Bangladesh: This organization works for the participation of intellectually disabled persons in World Special Olympics etc founded by SWID Bangladesh. It was registered in 1993 and is now run by its own Management Body.
Future Programmes
SWID is now 45 years old. It has acquired a good experience over these years from its activities persons with Neuro-developmental disabilities. The condition of the intellectually disabled persons in the urban and rural areas and from the rich and poor families are better known. A fair knowledge has been acquired on the ways was gaining practical experience by which the education/training for them can be catered. Ways for reaching the unreached intellectually disabled person in remote areas of the country have been explored. Pratibondhi Kalyan Ain 2001, was initiative initiated for the disabled. It’s being examined for improvement and steps for effectiveness. Pratibonhi Unnayan Foundation has also started functioning. The Govt. have issued instructions for the adoption of some welfare measures for the disabled persons. The impact from these are yet to be seen. After observing the limitations gap and weaken of the Law the activities of SWID and other organization raise the issue to reform the law with appropriate correction and modification by this time UNCRPD has approved in 2006. In accordance with the proclamation of Independence of Bangladesh in 10th April 1971 and with the guiding principle of Bangladesh Constitution in 1972 and UNCRPD, NFOWD in also with SWID . A Draft of Disability Right and Protection Law was made and submitted to the members of the Bangladesh Parliament, ministry of Law, Ministry of Social welfare and Law commissions. After a long time in 2013 the law has enacted. As a result of positive awareness building about the sad plight of the intellectually disabled the local bodies along with the rich and benevolent persons are extending their helping hands better than before. The advocacy works of the SWID through the Mass media are also removing the wrong notion about sociability and employability of most of them. But Bangladesh is not like an advanced welfare state, there is no national insurance here. Further, we are yet to fully implement the “education for all” programme even for the normal children. The health sector is far behind than in the developed countries. Hence the parents and guardians have to play a greater role for their wards than what is required in a modern welfare state. They have to play the role of the pressure group for the intellectually disabled. The silver jubilee celebration of the Society is therefore an appropriate occasion for evaluating the acquired knowledge’s and experiences and the present situation, for determining appropriate further programmes for the welfare of the intellectually disabled. The Society and its Branches have intellectually disabled persons of very different ages, some 5/6 years and some from the beginning of the Society and therefore aged about 48 years or more. A few of them are even married and have children.
Advancement Journey of SWID Bangladesh
Name of the organization: Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh (SWID Bangladesh) which is the Altruistic Philanthropic virtuous Alma Mater in nature.
Date of establishment: Established on 24 December in 1977. First ever organization for the persons with Neuro-Developmental Disabilities in Bangladesh and only recognized national based pioneer organization.
Vision: An inclusive, egalitarian, seamlessly developed and prosperous human society for disadvantaged vulnerable groups of people including persons with Neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Mission: Promote awareness, education, employment, rehabilitation, self-reliance and empowerment of people with neurological disabilities in the society. & Development of latent and potential skills through intensive care, affection, love and service in a suitable educational system for the intellectually disabled, autistic, down syndrome, cerebral palsy for making them self-reliant.
Branches: All over Bangladesh, it has established 543 branches in the remote areas, village, union, and Upazila and district levels in a long journey of 47 years.
Number of students: At present, the number of students in NDD schools under SWID Bangladesh is about 45 thousand.
Activities: Special education, integrated education, therapeutic services, technical education, vocational training and health services are provided to students with NDD characteristics.
NIID: The following activities are conducted with NIIDA: Development of Disability Detection and Identification with Counseling Unit, Education and Research, Training, Curriculum Development, Therapy Services, Special Education School and Scout Team.
TWID Bangladesh: 'Trust for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled or TWID' was established in 1994 with government registration to provide training on activities of daily living and vocational training to the adult students with NDDs in the residential based program. SWID Scout Group: The 'SWID Scout Group' was established in 1994 with the students with NDD characteristics, which was later approved by the Extension Scouting Department of Bangladesh Scouts in 1998.
SWID College: SWID Special Education Teachers Training College was established in 2006 to conduct the course of Bachelor of Special Education or B.S.Ed. affiliated by the National University with the aim of creating skilled manpower. So far 1500 students have completed B.S.Ed. degree from the college.
SWID Laboratory Model School: The SWID Laboratory Model School was established in 2009 to conduct practice teaching activities for the students of the SWID Special Education Teacher Training College and to demonstrate exemplary excellence for other institutions to follow.
SWID Foundation: The foundation was established on May 25, 2013 to support the activities of SWID Bangladesh financially.
SWID Bakul Mamun Multipurpose Arena: SWID Bakul Mamun Multipurpose Arena:
Mr. Jawaherul Islam Mamun, former President and General Secretary of SWID Bangladesh and its current Mentor, is a writer, essayist, columnist, journalist, researcher, poet, and social welfare activist. His late wife, Momtaz Begum Bakul, was a former Joint General Secretary of SWID Bangladesh and one of the founders of the SWID Jamalpur branch. Because of their only daughter, Jannatul Ferdous Monti, who has an intellectual disability, they became involved with SWID Bangladesh and worked actively and continuously for nearly 38 years, contributing to improving and dignifying the lives of persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD). In recognition of their contributions, the SWID Bakul Mamun Multipurpose Arena was established on July 10, 2020, by decision of the SWID Bangladesh National Executive Committee. The arena was inaugurated by the then Honorable Deputy Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament and former Chairman of the SWID Advisory Council, Alhaj Advocate Md. Fazle Rabbi Miah, MP. At this arena, various national and international disability-related events are organized, along with sports and cultural competitions, scouting activities, and other multifaceted vocational programs. In particular, training is provided to help persons over 21 years of age with neurodevelopmental disabilities become self-reliant. The training programs include: vocational technical education and training, pre-employment skill development, daily living skills training, socialization training, therapy services, psychosocial guidance and counseling, psychophysical activities, meditation practice, yoga exercises, and computer training.
The training programs are: Vocational Technical Education and Training, Pre-Employment Skill Development Training, Daily living Activities Education and Training, Socialization Training, Therapeutic Programs, Psychosocial Guidance and Counseling Programs, Psychophysical, Meditation Practices, Yoga and Computer Training.
SWID Vocational Training School: SWID Vocational Training School was started on May 1, 2022 at Bakul Mamun Multipurpose Arena on the 7th floor of SWID Bhaban with the aim of increasing the participation of students with NDD characteristics in the vocational activities of SWID Bangladesh over 18 years of age. At present the school has 60 students above 18 years of age.
Dr. Lutfar Rahman Therapy Center: Dr. Lutfar Rahman Therapy Center was established on 24 December 2022 with state-of-the-art with all modern facilities of the highest quality. The center offers psychological assessment abd detection, with counselling, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services.
SWID Cafe & Hospitality Training Centre: At SWID Cafe & Hospitality Training Centre, 10 students with NDD characteristics are undergoing hands-on education and training on various activities related to cooking and hospitality under the supervision of a skilled chef.
SWID Carers Association: Since 2021, SWID Bangladesh has been working as a partner organization with CDD and Carers Worldwide to implement the Carers Model for the overall development of parents or caregivers of students with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) characteristics. A federation named “Carers Alliance Bangladesh” has already been established. As a collaborating and partner organization of this alliance, the “SWID Carers Association” has started its activities.
SWID Shahana Munir Rooftop Garden: On December 24, 2022, Mr. Md. Mahbubul Munir, the current General Secretary of SWID Bangladesh and President of the SWID Dhanmondi Branch, along with his beloved wife Mrs. Shahana Asir Munir, inaugurated the newly added “SWID Shahana Munir Rooftop Garden.” They initiated this in a spirit of compassion, dedication to welfare activities, and with the intention of earning spiritual merit, considering SWID as a place of noble service. Gardening activities are highly beneficial for the mental and psychophysical development of individuals with neurodevelopmental characteristics or disabilities.
SWID Ratnagarbha Shaheed Janani Khorshed Ara Mosque: The mosque located on the 7th floor has been named after the beloved and respected mother of Mr. Md. Mahbubul Munir, the current General Secretary of SWID Bangladesh and founder of the Ratnagarbha Shaheed Janani Khorshed Ara Foundation. Her name was Mohtarema Khorshed Ara Begum. Alongside regular prayers, the mosque also implements religious and moral education programs for students with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) characteristics. These programs aim to develop ethical values such as honesty, good conduct, pleasant manners, kind speech, and strong character—qualities considered fundamental human virtues and life’s greatest assets, which can help individuals lead beautiful, progressive, and enriched lives.
Friday (Jumu’ah) prayers have been held at the mosque since April 26, 2024.
Contribution in International Sports Arena: 'Special Olympics Bangladesh' was established in 1994 by the initiative of SWID Bangladesh. From 1991-2023, the selected athletes with NDD characteristics of SWID Bangladesh have regularly participated in various sports events through the World Special Olympics Summer and Winter Games, and have already won 187 gold, 120 silver and 79 bronze medals, and have made Bangladesh's reputation in the world sports arena shine.
Status in International Cultural Arena: In the international arena, the trained NDD students of SWID Bangladesh are contributing at the national and international level by developing their latent and potential talents by winning awards and honors by regularly participating in the Delhi SAMVAB-ALPANA, Bhubaneswar ANJALI cultural programs in India and the PARA ART competition in Tokyo, Japan.
Involved in the activities of AFID: Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities or AFID is an organization composed of intellectually disabled organizations from different countries in Asia. AFID has 24 member countries. SWID Bangladesh as a full member of AFID and organized the 13th AFID Conference in 1997 and the 23rd AFID Conference in 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The 13th AFID Conference was attended by the Honorable Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, and the 23rd AFID Conference was attended by His Highness the President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid as the Chief Guest.
Special achievements
Acceptance of 'Autism Accession Certificate-2017' by Hon'ble Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the celebration of '10th World Autism Awareness Day-2017'.
Former President-Secretary General and current Mentor Mr. Jawaharul Islam Mamun awarded from the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the 27th International and 20th National Disability Day-2018 celebrations for his special contribution to the welfare, education, rehabilitation, human rights establishment and as a successful social activist along with received the certificate.
Secretary General Mr. Md. Mahbubul Munir received the “South Asia Golden Peace Award-2021” award on October 30, 2021 in recognition of his special contribution to the welfare of disabled people in society and human services.
On 2 April 2023, the 16th World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Social Welfare awarded a commemorative crest as an award of 'Autism Accession Award 2023' to the 3 branches of SWID Bangladesh, respectively, Bhandaria, Aditmari and Ambati branches as successful organizations supporting autism transition. A cash prize of Rs./- (one lakh) is awarded for each Branches.
In the 2017, 2023 and 2025 AFID conference, SWID Bangladesh was awarded the Kaoru Star Raft Award-2017, Kaoru Star Raft Award-2023 & Kaoru Star Raft Award-2025 in recognition of the work done by disabled persons who are backward in their own country.
Success of student
A student with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) characteristics from the Chapainawabganj branch, Md. Sohel Rana Safi, won 3rd place in an international painting competition held in South Korea and organized by Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) for his artwork depicting a rural landscape.
Among employed individuals with NDD characteristics, Abdul Kader Smaran and Shiuly Akter Sathi have received the National Sports Award.
As sports organizers, Ashraf-ud-Daula, NDD athlete Fahmida Hossain Luna (1997) and Nipa Bose (2010) all received the National Sports Award.
The Person with NDD Hirok vertually participates in the opening ceremony of the 26th AFID Conference held in MACAU Special Administrative Region of China in 2023 with a video presentation of the theme song of the conference.
In the PARA-ART-2022 competition in Tokyo, Japan, the painting Natural beauty of Bangladesh by Md. Ahnaf Nafi, a student with NDD characteristics was displayed.
Unique Role in Public Awareness, Motivation, and Advocacy:
· Played an initiating and active role in the formulation, approval, development of rules, and action planning for several major disability-related policies and laws, including:
o National Disability Policy (1995)
o Disability Welfare Act (2001)
o United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities — UNCRPD (2006)
o Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act (2013)
o Neurodevelopmental Disability Protection Trust Act
o Rehabilitation Council Act (2018)
· Contributed as a pioneer and influential supporter in establishing specialized institutions such as:
o Sena Sahayak School run by the Army
o Proyash
o Ashar Alo run by the Navy
o Blue School run by the Air Force
o Deepta Simanta established by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
