Since 1989

Restoring Sight for the Vulnerable Million

Over 4 million people in Bangladesh are visually impaired. BDF is dedicated to inclusive education, sight restoration, and a barrier-free society.
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Our Story

World Braille Day

World Braille Day is celebrated every year on January 4 to raise awareness about the importance of Braille for blind and visually impaired people. Bangladesh Dristihin Foundation also observes the day through awareness programs, discussions, and different inclusive activities to promote accessibility, education, and equal opportunities for visually impaired individuals.
Visually Impaired
M+
Cataract Patients
Annual Blindness
Mobile Eye Camps
Proposed Model

Our Foundation's History

Founded on February 07, 1989, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Shushanta Athikari and Golam Mostafa PhD, Bangladesh Dristihin Foundation BDF was born from a realization of the extreme paucity of blindness prevention services in Bangladesh.

We recognized the alarmingly increasing numbers of people losing their sight and resolved to form an organization to promote inclusive education, sight restoration, and right-based legislation.

“50% of children with vision impairment die within one year of becoming blind. We are here to change that trajectory.”

Our Development Strategy

BDF operates a dual-model approach to maximize reach and efficiency across the country.

1. Center-Based Program

Comprehensive facilities including dormitories, multi-storied schools, and professional orientation and mobility staff. While capital-intensive, it provides immersive care for students.

  • Professional academic training
  • Residential accommodation
  • Skills training in daily living
2. Community-Based (CBR)

A flexible, low-cost, high-yield innovation providing services to inaccessible areas. As recommended by UNESCO, this is our core scaling model for inclusive education

  • Cost-effective alternative
  • Minimal physical infrastructure
  • High social impact in remote villages

Mobile Eye Camps

Overcoming barriers like transportation costs and loss of wages by bringing services directly to inaccessible communities.
Liaison

Cooperation with District administration and local NGOs.

Publicity

Publicity Extensive 4-7 day awareness through Radio, TV, and micing.

IOL Surgery

High-quality Intra Ocular Lens implants for cataracts.

Tajul Islam, a Eleventh-grade student at Bangla College. He is from Patgram, Chapai Nawabganj. He has three siblings, and all of them are visually impaired. Their father works as a day laborer to support the family.

Inclusive Education Program

We believe all children should learn together, regardless of differences. Our program integrates visually impaired children into mainstream neighborhood schools, transforming them from “burdens” to “equal members” of society.

Braille Kits

Full sets provided to all enrolled students.

Itinerant Services

Mobile vision teachers visiting mainstream schools.

Rehabilitation

Daily living activity training before school enrollment.

1000+ Identified

Infants and children identified through CBR.

Prevention of Blindness

BDF operates a dual-model approach to maximize reach and efficiency across the country.

Cataract Surgery

Prevent irreversible blindness with specialized intervention.

CBR Project

A flexible, low-cost, high-yield innovation providing services to inaccessible areas.

Rehabitation

Identifying and providing specialized rehabilitation to those whose condition is medically untreatable.