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.
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.
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On December 3, 2024, the Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) hosted a significant meeting at its central office, attended by UK Members of Parliament, representatives from CBM Global Disability Inclusion Nepal, the Coalition for Global Prosperity, and BYAN's staff, board members, and beneficiaries. The meeting highlighted BYAN's impactful work in disability inclusion and empowerment under the "Action for Change" project. The session featured inspiring stories from BYAN's peer educators and champions, emphasizing resilience and unique disability perspectives, as well as an exhibition of IEC materials that garnered appreciation for their inclusivity. The MPs commended BYAN’s accessible practices, including simultaneous translation and sign language interpretation, praising the organization’s commitment to meaningful inclusion and fostering collaboration for disability-inclusive development.
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अपाङ्गता भएका युवाहरूको पहिलो राष्ट्रिय सम्मेलन मंसिर १९ र २० गते ललितपुरमा सम्पन्न भयो। देशभरका १०० भन्दा बढी अपाङ्गता भएका युवाहरूको सहभागितामा दुई दिनसम्म चलेको यो सम्मेलनले ३५ बुँदे ललितपुर घोषणापत्र जारी गरेको छ।
यो सम्मेलन अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिहरूको ३३ औं अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय दिवसको अवसरमा आयोजना गरिएको थियो, जसको यस वर्षको नारा "समावेशी र दिगो भविष्यका लागि अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिहरूको नेतृत्वको सशक्तिकरण" रहेको थियो। साथै सन् २०२५ मा हुने तेस्रो विश्व अपाङ्गता शिखर सम्मेलनको पूर्वतयारीको रूपमा पनि यो कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरिएको थियो।
सम्मेलनमा पाँच मुख्य विषयमा छलफल भएको थियो:
- समावेशी शिक्षा तथा प्रविधिमा पहुँच
- यौन तथा प्रजनन स्वास्थ्य सेवा र मानसिक स्वास्थ्य समता
- राजनीतिक तथा सार्वजनिक जीवनमा अर्थपूर्ण सहभागिता र नेतृत्व
- समावेशी रोजगारी, स्वरोजगार तथा आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण
- अपाङ्गता समावेशी जलवायु प्रतिकार्य
विभिन्न प्रकारका अपाङ्गता भएका युवाहरूको सहभागिता रहेको यस सम्मेलनको उद्घाटन प्रतिनिधि सभाका सभामुख देवराज घिमिरेले गर्नुभएको थियो। उद्घाटन समारोहमा सांसदहरू प्रेम महर्जन र सोबिता गौतम तथा युनेस्को नेपालका प्रतिनिधि माइकल क्रफ्टको पनि उपस्थिति रहेको थियो।
समापन समारोहमा श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्री शरद सिंह भण्डारीको प्रमुख आतिथ्यता रहेको थियो। समारोहमा सांसदहरू चन्द्र भण्डारी, राजन दाहाल र रेखा यादव, संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघका आवासीय संयोजक हाना सिंगर लगायत विभिन्न सरकारी तथा गैरसरकारी निकायका प्रतिनिधिहरूको उपस्थिति थियो।
समापन समारोहमा सहभागी युवाहरूले ३५ बुँदे घोषणापत्र उपस्थित अतिथिहरूलाई हस्तान्तरण गरेका थिए। अतिथिहरूले घोषणापत्रमा उल्लेखित मागहरू सम्बोधन गर्ने प्रतिबद्धता व्यक्त गरेका छन्।
The first National Conference of Youth with Disabilities was held in Lalitpur on December 4-5. More than 100 young people with disabilities from across Nepal attended the two-day event, which ended with the release of a 35-point Lalitpur Declaration.
The conference coincided with the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, following the theme "Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future." It also helped prepare for the upcoming third Global Disability Summit in 2025, where the views of young people with disabilities will be shared with the international community.
The participants discussed five main topics:
- Inclusive education and access to technology
- Sexual and reproductive health services and mental health equity
- Meaningful participation and leadership in political and public life
- Inclusive employment, self-employment, and economic empowerment
- Disability-inclusive climate response
Young people with different types of disabilities took part in the conference. Mr. Dev Raj Ghimire, Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, opened the event. Members of Parliament Prem Maharjan and Sobita Gautam, and UNESCO Nepal Representative Michael Croft were also present at the opening.
The Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Sharad Singh Bhandari, attended the closing ceremony. Other guests included Members of Parliament Chandra Bhandari, Rajan Dahal, and Rekha Yadav, and UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, along with other government and non-government officials.
At the closing ceremony, the participants presented their 35-point declaration to the guests. The officials promised to work on the demands listed in the declaration.