Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), implemented the projects “Youth Initiative for an Accessible Electoral System” and “Disability Access Monitoring Program” from August 2021 to Dec. 2022 across nine districts of Nepal, covering all seven provinces.

The project aimed to strengthen political participation, voter education, and leadership of youth with disabilities, while advocating for a more inclusive and accessible electoral system for persons with disabilities.

Summary of Key Results

• Established strong coordination with the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) and District Election Offices
• Created employment opportunities for 11 persons with disabilities, strengthening skills in technology and project management
• Sensitized 26 newly elected Members of Parliament on disability-inclusive political participation
• Developed 15 Master Trainers (9 women with disabilities) and 176 District Trainers from 12 districts
• Directly reached 4,490 young persons with disabilities through training, mock polling, and door-to-door voter education
• Sensitized 172 district-level stakeholders including political leaders, election officials, and civil society
• Conducted 79 advocacy engagements with ECN, election offices, local governments, and political parties
• Produced and disseminated accessible voter education materials (Braille, large print, easy-to-read formats)
• Produced misinformation and disinformation PSAs in six local languages and two PSAs on accessible polling stations
• Reached 468,870 people through social media campaigns
• Secured local government budget allocation for voter education in Sundar Haraicha Municipality (Morang) and Butwal Municipality
• Supported appointment of 17 PWD volunteers in polling stations across Chitwan, Jhapa, and Rupandehi
• All major national political parties included PWD candidates in proportional representation lists
• Conducted election access monitoring of 100+ polling stations across 10 districts mobilizing the persons with disabilities.
• Developed and disseminated comprehensive report on situation of Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Election, 2022.

On 24^th Dec, Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), with support from CBM Global Disability Inclusion and Amplify Change, organized a National Dialogue on Bridging Academia and the Disability Movement in Nepal at Indreni Suites, New Baneshwar. The event brought together academicians, researchers, disability rights activists, OPD leaders, and development practitioners to examine the status of disability-inclusive academic discourse in Nepal, identify the gaps, and explore ways to integrate disability perspectives into teaching, curriculum development, research initiatives, and knowledge production.

In the dialogue, Dr. Neeti Aryal Khanal, the Assistant Professor of Tribhuvan University deliverd the key presentation while Dr. Bhagwan Aryal from Tribhuvan University, Mr. Jileshan Saha from Kathmandu University, Dr. Sunit Adhikari, the Research Practitioner and Ms. Anjana Shrestha, the disability rights advocate were present as the panelists.

During the dialogue, speakers highlighted that while disability issues are gradually gaining attention in research and policy, they remain insufficiently mainstreamed within academic discourse. A technical presentation by Dr. Neeti Aryal Khanal of Tribhuvan University traced the evolution of Disability Studies globally and in Nepal, emphasizing that the field has largely emerged through the advocacy of persons with disabilities themselves and the shift toward the social model of disability. Panelists further noted persistent challenges such as limited curriculum integration, attitudinal barriers within academic institutions, lack of accessibility in higher education, and minimal collaboration between academia and OPDs.

The dialogue concluded with strong calls for sustained collaboration between academic institutions and OPDs, dedicated funding for disability-inclusive knowledge production, and the development of accessible learning platforms. Participants welcomed the growing interest of universities, particularly Kathmandu University, in initiating Disability Studies as a formal discipline. Also, they welcomed the commitments of Martin Chautari that jointly initiating regular discourse on disability inclusion. In his closing remarks, BYAN’s Chief Advisor Kaladhar Bhandari emphasized that the dialogue marked the beginning of a continuous engagement process, reaffirming BYAN’s commitment to advancing rights-based, inclusive academic and research practices in Nepal.

On 30 July 2025, Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), in collaboration with Right Here Right Now, organized a Training on Digital Accessibility at Alfa House, Baneshwor. The session was facilitated by Mr. Sagar Prasai, Director of Diverse Patterns, with participation from officials representing various divisions under the Ministry of Health and Population and Department of Health Services.

The training introduced participants to the principles of digital accessibility (POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and demonstrated how persons with disabilities navigate digital environments using assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard navigation. Through a mix of presentations, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, participants explored ways to make websites, documents, and social media content more accessible.

The event emphasized the importance of inclusive digital platforms in public communication and service delivery, encouraging government stakeholders to integrate accessibility into Nepal’s digital transformation strategies. Participants left with enhanced knowledge, strengthened technical skills, and a renewed commitment to ensuring that digital spaces are inclusive and usable for all.

On 14 August 2025, YUWA and Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), with support from Right Here Right Now, organized a Policy Discourse on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) at Hotel Royal Singi, Kathmandu. Nearly 70 stakeholders participated, including government representatives, academia, teacher networks, youth-led organizations, and civil society.

The discourse provided a collaborative platform to reflect on the status of CSE in Nepal, identify institutional and implementation gaps, and explore strategies for inclusive, age-appropriate, and sustainable CSE delivery.

Key highlights included a thematic presentation by Prof. Bhagwan Aryal of Tribhuvan University on the history and future of CSE in Nepal, followed by a panel discussion with representatives from CDC, CEHRD, UNFPA, TU, and the Nursing and Social Security Division. Discussions emphasized:

• The gap between progressive policies and weak implementation.
• The urgent need for teacher training and pedagogy reform.
• Ensuring disability inclusion, mental health, and gender sensitivity within CSE.
• Strengthening coordination across federal, provincial, and local levels.

Participants collectively recommended mainstreaming CSE across the curriculum, integrating it into pre-service and in-service teacher training, and fostering whole-school and community approaches to overcome stigma and cultural barriers.

The event concluded with a strong call for government ownership, inclusive approaches, and stronger collaboration among ministries, teacher networks, youth groups, CSOs, and development partners. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalizing CSE so that all young people in Nepal—especially those from marginalized groups—can access evidence-based, rights-affirming, and inclusive sexuality education.

On 8 August 2025, Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) organized a Post-Global Disability Summit (GDS) sharing session, bringing together government representatives, CSOs, OPDs, INGOs, and other key stakeholders to reflect on the outcomes and commitments from the summit.

The event highlighted international frameworks and mechanisms, including the GDS, and provided a platform for BYAN to share its key learnings, experiences, and commitments made during the summit. Participants discussed strategies to translate global pledges into actionable initiatives in Nepal, focusing on advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities across sectors.

Various stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to upholding the GDS pledges and emphasized the importance of collaboration between government bodies, civil society, and disability organizations to ensure sustainable progress toward a more inclusive society.

Welcome to our digital photo story book — a powerful collection of unheard and untold stories of persons with disabilities, captured and narrated by persons with disabilities themselves.

This project showcases authentic voices and perspectives, proving that disability does not limit creativity, vision, or determination.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to our mentor, Kishor Sharma, for his unwavering dedication and guidance.

A big thank you to all our passionate participants who turned this vision into reality.

This work was made possible through the generous support of CBM Global Disability Inclusion Nepal and CBM Global Disability Inclusion UK.

Together, we hope these stories spark reflection, empathy, and change.

Visit our resource page to view or download this photo story book.

The Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin brought together global leaders, OPDs, and advocates to push forward disability-inclusive development. BYAN proudly represented Nepal, highlighting our youth-led initiatives in inclusive education, SRHR, and political participation. Our team actively participated in side events, consultations, and high-level dialogues, while our exhibition booth attracted over 1000 visitors with innovative, accessible materials.

From contributing to the Youth Call to Action, presenting in global forums, to advocating for the Amman-Berlin Declaration, BYAN reinforced the importance of grassroots voices in global policy discussions. The summit became a platform to share our work, build international networks, and reaffirm our commitment to inclusive development led by and for young persons with disabilities.

Follow this link for more → https://byanepal.org/resources/global-disability-summit-gds-2025-byans-participation-contributions-and-reflections/

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