Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday shared a few hours with the disabled and assured them of her government's all cooperation for integrating them into the mainstream of national development.
"The disabled are an inseparable part of our society ... A balanced national development is hot possible keeping them detached," she said inaugurating the National Day for the Disabled 2002 at the Osmahi Memorial Hall yesterday morning.
In her speech translated into sign language for the deaf, the PM emphasised that conducive atmosphere for proper education, training and rehabilitation can make the disabled population proud participants in the national progress.
The function was part of a daylong programme, which also included a rally starling from in front of Engineers Institution and a discussion meeting and cultural function at the National Museum Auditorium organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Ministers, Ml’s, diplomats, leaders of various social welfare organisations and a large number of disabled people were present at the inaugural function.
The prime minister said nearly 10 million people of the country are disabled in one way or the other and it was possible through necessary treatment to enable the physically and mentally handicapped to work and make themselves self-dependent.
"We can perform our responsibility by giving recognition to them and not through compassion
of pity," she said pointing io equal rights of all citizens guaranteed in (he country's Constitution.
Referring to the UN Charier for Children's Rights which ensures education, training, health sen-ice, rehabilitation, employment and entertainment rights, she said Bangladesh as a signatory to it is committed to ensure welfare and development of the children.
The prime minister reiterated the BNP government's pledge for ensuring welfare of the disadvantaged groups and said her party always considered it a sacred responsibility.
Referring to the declaration of ESCAP Conference of Beijing in 1992, Khaleda Zia recalled that the BNP government in 1995 had accordingly formulated a national policy for the disabled and undertaken various welfare-oriented
programmes.
She assured that the present government of the BNP-led four-party alliance is also continuing its efforts to implement the international policy adopted for the welfare and development of the backward group.
Khaleda announced that implementation of a number of longterm and short-term programmes will begin this month. The programmes include setting up of separate ticket counters for the disabled in railway stations, bus terminals, launch terminals, airports and Biman office.
She also spoke of reserved seats for the disabled in all modes of public transport. She said orphans and the disabled will be employed in 10 per cent of government jobs.
The PM particularly mentioned building of suitable passage in all government offices for the disabled on wheelchairs.
She announced a 20 per cent increase in government allocation for (he National Development Foundation for the Disabled.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Social Welfare Ali Ahsan Mujahid said proper nurturing of the disabled could (urn (hem into a productive workforce.
The prime minister enjoyed a cultural programme featured by harnd. naal, poetry recitation, songs, drama and dance depicting the problems and real-life stories of the disabled.
The function over. Khaleda Zia also inaugurated a handicraft exhibition displaying products including artificial limbs, utensils and toy furniture made by the disabled.