For decades, people with disabilities in Cambodia—whether physical, visual, hearing, or intellectual—remained largely invisible in the country’s media landscape. They were often portrayed as objects of pity or charity cases, not as active, capable citizens. COSD, founded in 2002 by students with disabilities, had spent years advocating for accessibility in education and employment. But they realized a critical gap: no media outlet was by and for people with disabilities.
In late 2018, with a small grant from a disability rights foundation and a handful of second-hand cameras, COSD launched on YouTube and Facebook. The mission was simple yet profound: “Nothing about us without us.” cosd tv cambodia
As their founder, Srey Leak (a wheelchair user since a childhood polio infection), often says: “We didn’t start this channel to ask for sympathy. We started it to show ability. And now, Cambodia is finally watching.” But they realized a critical gap: no media