Toward an Accessible Media Technology for the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Abstract

Media technologies have become an integral aspect of everyday life, and their accessibility is equally crucial for individuals with disabilities. Media technologies have the potential to significantly enhance access to information for people with disabilities by addressing their diverse needs. Given that individuals with disabilities encounter various physical barriers, they require multiple accessibility features to effectively engage with and comprehend media content. This study examines the challenges and inaccessibility of media technologies in disseminating essential information, focusing on individuals with disabilities in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh as a case study. The Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, hosts approximately one million stateless refugees who depend entirely on humanitarian aid. To facilitate crisis response, the Shongjog platform was created, with BBC Media Action producing media resources such as videos, audio dramas, and posters. However, these materials lack accessibility features, failing to effectively serve refugees with disabilities. This study critically examines the underlying assumptions and ableist logic embedded in the media resources and tools available on the Shongjog platform. By analyzing the technological tools developed by BBC Media Action, we argue that people with disabilities are systematically excluded and marginalized, even within humanitarian aid frameworks designed for inclusivity. More specifically, we contend that biometric registration, promoted as a humanitarian technological solution, functions as a disabling mechanism that restricts access to essential services and broader opportunities for refugees with disabilities. Through this analysis, the paper highlights the intersection of humanitarian aid, technology, and disability, calling for a more inclusive approach to crisis communication and refugee support.