About DRRA
A non-governmental organisation founded in 1996 for inclusion, human rights and equity. We work for marginalised people, persons with disabilities, their families and communities, directly and through local partner organisations.
Rights & Inclusion since 1996.
DRRA is a non-profit organisation working since 1996 to advance the rights, inclusion and dignity of marginalized people, persons with disabilities, their families and communities. Beyond services, DRRA develops, researches, and transfers adaptive models that strengthen communities, influence civic service systems and build local institutions to sustain inclusive development.
DRRA works for rights and inclusion in health, rehabilitation, education, skills development and livelihoods, policy advocacy, climate resilience and humanitarian action along with action research.
DRRA is registered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) (1996), the NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh (1997) and the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) (2012), and has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 2021. The organisation has received two national awards from the Government of Bangladesh, three Zero Project awards for its adaptive models on inclusive education, livelihood and health, along with more national awards.
DRRA works directly in Satkhira, Manikganj, Gazipur and Dhaka, and extends its reach to other districts across Bangladesh through local partner organisations.
Much of DRRA's work takes place within and in collaboration with public systems. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, DRRA has established rehabilitation services in government hospitals. It has also served as a knowledge partner in developing government guidelines on disability identification and definition, and contributed to government committees on disability legislation and reporting under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Local ownership is at the heart of DRRA's development approach. Rather than creating long-term dependency on external support, DRRA invests in strengthening the capacities, leadership and decision-making of self-help groups, organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), mothers' groups, partner NGOs, Union Parishads and small entrepreneurs.
As their capacity grows, responsibility for initiatives, services and local development processes progressively shifts to these groups and institutions. DRRA gradually steps back, allowing local leadership to sustain and expand the work. This approach helps build stronger communities, accountable local institutions and lasting pathways towards inclusion and self-reliance.
1996–2026: from community service to inclusive systems strengthening
Journey begins
Endorsed community-based services for persons with disabilities and marginalized people and the first steps in policy and inclusive education.
- 1996DRRA founded to serve persons with disabilities and destitute families in Bangladesh
- 1998Started community-based rehabilitation together with primary health care, inclusive education, disaster preparedness and response
- 1999–2001Advocacy to influence disability policy reform; began promoting and practicing inclusion
- 2001Promoting and practising inclusive education
Campuses, systems strengthening and networks
Journey with own campuses, accessible communities, voice for rights and collaboration with government.
- 2006DRRA established its own campuses at Satkhira and Manikganj, with residential training facilities and a safe home for boys with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) at Manikganj
- 2007Strengthened local government to deliver inclusive services
- 2007–2008Supported communities to adapt to climate change and disaster: river erosion, flood and cyclone
- 2008Supported the start-up of UDDOG and a bakery as enterprises
- 2009Made civic places and educational institutes accessible, creating an enabling environment for persons with disabilities in the community.
- 2010–2013Contributed to the process of formulating the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013.
- 2011Led a national network of CBOs and OPDs to make civic service and community accessible and affordable along with youth and parent forums in place to strengthen the voice for inclusion and localisation. Innovations started with medical rehabilitation on wheels (Hope for Life), digitally registering more than 50,000 unidentified children and persons with disabilities in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh. Supported the Sundory honey enterprise initiated by women with disabilities.
- 2012DRRA started inclusive microfinance with Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) as a licensed organization to include persons with disabilities and climate-vulnerable communities in the financial system, with appropriate adaptation of traditional microfinance. In addition, Ability Center started producing assistive devices by engaging youth with NDDs.
- 2014A significant move was initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to make the government health system inclusive, accessible and affordable
- 2015Promoted and practised accessible health services in government hospitals, OPD network for localisation; strengthening and capacity development of youth and parent forums
Mainstreaming with government
Working with government to mainstream inclusive health and rehabilitation, build an inclusive economy and put policy into practice.
- 2016–2025DRRA supports SHG to OPD graduation journey by strengthening their functional level development of organizational capacity to practice rights-based advocacy, community-led monitoring, and government & social accountability. It’s a unique approach of DRRA which focuses on enabling SHG/OPDs as well as persons with disabilities’ full participation in decision making processes by identifying service gaps, raising concerns and advocating for more inclusive and accountable public services as a joint initiative of DRRA and OPDs. They work as a pressure group with local government as well as national level to ensure all government service and budget are disability inclusive. In addition, we generated evidence through action research and translated it into civic systems.
- 2016Collaborated with the Ministry of Education, business and universities, national and international
- 2017Started Care Farm and Wheel Trade
- 2017–2018Collaboration with government and government institutions, including the Rehabilitation Act 2018
- 2018Started program for Inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and collaborated with Community Based Health Care (CBHC) program and Directorate of Family Planning
- 2018–2019DRRA formed the Inclusive Health Alliance with national and international NGOs working to improve the living standards of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh, to advocate with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to close gaps in health policy and services in the mainstream health system. DRRA is represented in LINC-Asia, holds member and lead roles in national and international networks, sits on government bodies including the NDD Trust, IPNA, the National Steering Committee, NCDC and BNFE, and partners with business and universities at home and abroad.
- 2019DRRA supported the development of disability-inclusive policies, guidelines, screening and referral protocols, health information systems, insurance and family planning standards
- 2020During the COVID-19 pandemic, DRRA provided emergency assistance to families of children with disabilities to cope with the health and economic impacts. Support included food assistance, financial aid and in-kind support, including personal protective equipment (PPE). Besides this, online health and rehabilitation services were also provided through our digital platform Re-Health. DRRA prioritised vulnerable families facing increased hardship and barriers to accessing essential services during lockdowns and movement restrictions.
- 2021DRRA expanded Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program in climate-vulnerable urban slums of Dhaka, providing support to children with disabilities and their families. The programme combines special education and early intervention, home-based care, entrepreneurship development, food security and green energy-based hydroponics to build resilience and promote inclusive development.
- 2022Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with frequent disasters threatening the lives and livelihoods of marginalised communities, particularly persons with disabilities and their families. DRRA promotes disability-inclusive climate resilience by strengthening their knowledge and capacity for climate adaptation and providing cash and in-kind assistance to prepare for disasters, cope with their impacts and recover from losses.
- 2023Malancha is an inclusive fashion brand of DRRA working towards inclusive economic empowerment where disability inclusion, climate resilience and entrepreneurship come together to create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in both urban and rural communities. The brand engages young people with disabilities, women and other marginalized groups, transforming their capacities into economic opportunities by connecting local resources, enhancing production capacities and market linkage. In addition, the Stories for Inclusion program started.
Advancing inclusive public systems
Skills, jobs and enterprise for persons with disabilities.
- From 2026Standardizing skill development and employment for persons with disabilities. Building on three decades of experience, DRRA is working to strengthen inclusive public systems, scale evidence-based models, advance climate justice and disability-inclusive development, and promote the sustainable implementation of disability rights and policies. Its next focus is standardised skill development and employment for persons with disabilities, inclusive fashion, AI automation and developing entrepreneurship.
Over thirty years, DRRA has moved from delivering services in communities to changing the systems that serve everyone. Approaches first practised in villages — community-based rehabilitation, inclusive education, disaster preparedness and inclusive enterprise — were tested through action research, formalised through agreements with the Ministries of Health and Education, and built into government protocols, hospitals and information systems. Building on three decades of experience, DRRA now works to strengthen inclusive public systems, scale evidence-based models, advance climate justice and disability-inclusive development, and promote the sustainable implementation of disability rights and policies.
Our story, on video
Programme footage and highlights from DRRA's work, straight from our YouTube channel.
Visit our YouTube channel →An evolving journey for an adaptive model
DRRA’s work has changed with people’s needs, public policy and development thinking. Each stage added to the one before it rather than replacing it.
The rights of persons with disabilities, framed since 2007 by the UN Convention
Community-based rehabilitation since 1997, close to home and at low cost
From 2018, inclusion of persons with disabilities in all community development
Models tested inside government hospitals, schools and local government
Local organisations leading, with DRRA stepping back
Leadership
Farida Yesmin
Founder and Executive Director, DRRA
For three decades, Farida Yesmin has been advancing disability rights and inclusive development in Bangladesh. As founder and Executive Director of DRRA, her leadership has shaped national policy, health and education systems, and rehabilitation programming — work that has reached more than 2 million people across 38 districts since 1996.
She has led initiatives spanning inclusive education, healthcare, telemedicine, employment and economic inclusion for persons with disabilities, and represented Bangladesh at international forums including the United Nations in Geneva on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
🎓 Education
- Master of Public Health, Independent University Bangladesh, 2025
- Diploma in Health Economics, University of Dhaka, 2001
- MPhil, Political Science, University of Dhaka, 1994
- MSS, Political Science, University of Dhaka, 1989
- BSS, Political Science, University of Dhaka, 1988
🧭 Areas of work
Professional engagement and affiliations
1996–Present. Strategic leadership for national and international disability-inclusion programmes; policy advocacy; institutional development and donor relations.
2013–Present
2009–Present
2015–Present
2004–2013
2008–2010
Governed in Bangladesh, accountable to communities
DRRA is governed by a General Body of 21 members and an Executive Committee of seven, supported by an advisory committee.
General Body and Executive Committee
The General Body of 21 members and the Executive Committee of seven provide DRRA’s governance and oversight in Bangladesh.
Advisory committee
An advisory committee supports DRRA’s governance with experience from the disability, health and development sectors.
17 national and international honours, 2002–2023
Recognition for DRRA's institutional work and for the leadership of Executive Director Farida Yesmin in disability rights and social service.
Ekushey Smrity Padak
Muktijuddher Chetona Bastobayon Parishad
Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal
Manabadhikar O Paribesh Sangbadik Society (MAPSAS)
Sher-e-Bangla Golden Award
Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq Research Council
Swadhinata Academy Award
Swadhinata Academy Foundation
Begum Rokeya Padak
Government of Bangladesh, to Farida Yesmin, for women’s socio-economic development
Positive Bangladesh Star Award
Visionary Positive Bangladesh
Zero Project Award — Innovative Practice
Zero Project / Essl Foundation (Austria): Learn for Life, from early childhood to vocational training
Zero Project Award — Innovative Practice
Zero Project / Essl Foundation (Austria): inclusive microfinance, self-employment through training and microfinance
National Social Welfare Award
Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Social Welfare: honoured as a successful institution for the development of persons with disabilities
Earlier honours, 2002–2011
Earlier national and regional recognition, as recorded in DRRA's award register.
| Year | Award | Awarded by |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bangabandhu Smrity Padak | Manabadhikar O Paribesh Sangbadik Society |
| 2011 | Mother Teresa Shining Personality Progress Award | Progress Showbiz & Jhalak Foundation |
| 2011 | Nelson Mandela Award | Human Rights and Generation Development Foundation |
| 2011 | Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award | Asia Human Rights and Journalist Foundation |
| 2011 | Atish Dipankar Gold Medal | Atish Dipankar Research Council |
| 2011 | Ananda Ayojan Cultural Foundation, Best of the Year Award | Ananda Ayojan Cultural Foundation |
| 2009 | Mother Teresa International Gold Award | South Asia Culture Society |
| 2002 | Modhushudhon Academy Award | Modhushudhon Academy |
Governance policies
These policies set out how DRRA, its staff, volunteers and partners work day to day. Full texts are on our Legal & policies page.
Registration and compliance documents
DRRA’s registration certificates, audited statements and compliance documents are shared with partners, donors and researchers on request.
Want the full governance handbook?
We'll send policy documents and the latest audited statements.