Meeting of Thematic Committee on Persons with Disabilities and Autism On 29 August 2018 NHRCB thematic committee on PWDs and Autism organized a meeting at office. NHRCB Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque and Chair of the Committee presided over the meeting. He said, “NHRCB submitted National Action Plan last year to government and we hope that government will implement the plan immediately for the betterment of the differently-able people.” He suggested special lift for PWDs in development project like Metro Rail, Underpass, Foot over Bridge etc. He also said consultation with architects could be useful to make the public places accessible for Persons with Disabilities. Corporate bodies should come forward along with government to ensure accessibility for PWDs in workplaces. Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Society In the discussion on “Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities: Corporate Social Responsibilities” organized by National Human Rights Commission, the Principal Secretary of Prime Minister declared that upon NHRC’s request he had instructed the Shipping Secretary to take immediate action for making riverine transports accessible for Persons with Disabilities. The discussion was held on 08 September 2018 at Conference Room of NHRC. Before the discussion ‘Sheikh Rasel Art Gallery’ (Gallery with the pictures painted by the children with autism) was inaugurated. Md. Nojibur Rahman, Principle Secretary, PMO attended the program as the Chief Guest. Md. Jillar Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare attended as the Special Guest. NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque chaired the program. At the beginning, Md. Nojibur Rahman, Kazi Reazul Hoque, Md. Jillar Rahman inaugurated Sheikh Rasel Art Gallery (Gallery with the pictures painted by the children with autism). Upon participants’ request, Md. Nojibur Rahman instructed shipping secretary to take immediate measure for making the riverine transports accessible to the PWDs. Following another request from a participant regarding Bangladesh’s copyright of Multimedia Talking Book he also instructed the Project Director of A2i, PMO to immediately take necessary action for the copyright in favour of Bangladesh as Bangladesh has discovered this talking book for the accessibility of the documents for PWDs. The program was attended by Ms Nurun Naher Osmani, Member, NHRC, Hiranmaya Barai, Secretary, NHRC, Md. Towhidur Rahman, Chairman, Shahjalal Islami Bank Foundation, Akkas Uddin Molla, Chairman, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Mr Vashkor Bhattacharzi, Consultant, A2I, Prime Minister’s Office, Rabeya Sultana, Country Director, Help Age, Khandaker Jahurul Alam, Executive Director, CSID, Md. Abdus Salam, Professor, BIRDEM and other distinguished guests. Annual Report-2018 34