Today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and President Mohammed Shahabuddin emphasised the importance of integrating people with impairments into society.
In separate statements released today in honour of the 26th National Day of Persons with Disabilities and the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, they made the observation.
“I believe that the successful implementation of the plans will play an important role in mainstreaming the development of disabled people through employment and self-reliance,” the president wrote in the statement, extending greetings to all parties involved.
He also said disabled people should be given the opportunity to grow up in a beautiful and normal environment and their mental development should be ensured by participation in various family and social activities.
“I am calling on the government as well as related private institutions, voluntary organizations, local and foreign organizations and civil society to come forward to improve the quality of life of disabled people and establish a disability-friendly society,” he said.
Prof Yunus in his message said, “Parents of disabled children are very worried about their children’s future. To get rid of this, I am calling on the government as well as private institutions to come forward for the development of disabled people.”
“I hope that it will be possible to bring autism and NDD children into the mainstream of national life through multifaceted activities with the collective efforts of all,” he said.
According to him, the Interim Government, which was established by the mass revolt of workers, students, and citizens, is dedicated to creating a social structure free from discrimination.
The President and Chief Adviser have praised the Ministry of Social Welfare’s initiative to commemorate the 26th National Day of Persons with Disabilities-2024 and the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
They take this opportunity to offer their heartfelt congratulations and greetings to all of the nation’s disabled citizens, their families, and the organisations that support their welfare.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin said that by nature, people with disabilities are an integral part of our society.
“Sustainable development is not possible without excluding this special group of society. If inclusive programs are adopted for proper care and development of the disabled, they will also be able to contribute in various fields of the country,” the President said.
He said that the interim administration has enacted a comprehensive reform plan to build a modern, justice-based, nondiscriminatory, and corruption-free Bangladesh that supports young people’s aspirations.
According to Prof. Yunus, the Ministry of Social Welfare carries out a number of initiatives to promote the growth and well-being of both individuals with disabilities and those who are at danger of developing them.
“People with disabilities get free services and assistive devices from one stop services in remote areas of the country. Primary and secondary schools for hearing, intellectual and visually impaired schools are in operation. This school has been upgraded to secondary level. The school has residential facilities for all the students,” he said.
A multi-purpose disabled complex has been constructed at Dhaka’s Mirpur area to provide residential and training facilities and rehabilitation treatment to disabled persons, he said.
“In this complex, there are facilities for education, treatment and shelter home for children and persons with various disabilities including NDD,” he said.
Bangladesh ratified the UN Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on December 13, 2006 to protect the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.
Besides, Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust Act, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act and Integrated Special Education Policy related to disability have been formulated.
This year’s theme of the day is “Inclusive sustainable development, people with disabilities will move forward with developed leadership.”
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