Physically challenged people at a rally yesterday urged the government to ensure ramps in public transports and buildings to guarantee equal opportunities for them in education and workplaces.

Around 70 physically challenged people, many in wheelchairs or on crutches, attended the rally organised by Bangladeshi Systems Change Advocacy Network (B-Scan) at Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city.

Addressing the rally, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader assured the attendees that public transports to be imported by the government from nowon would have ramps.

He also assured to do his best to address problems faced by physically challenged people. “I will take the matter up with the ministries concerned to solve your problems," he said, adding that changes cannot happen overnight.

One of the wheelchair users, Sumaiya Binte Shafi, expressed her grief over the sufferings she had to endure due to her physical limitations.

A fresher at Narayanganj Girls' College, Sumaiya said she could not attend classes as the college had no ramps. “I attend my exams in college with the assistance of my parents,” she said.

Another physically challenged person,

Jahidul Islam, doing his masters degree in business administration at a private university, said the thought of not having a ramp at his future workplace constantly haunts him.

“An unknown apprehension grips me whenever I roll out of my house on my wheelchair,” he added.

B-Scan President Sabrina Sultana mentioned that the rights and facilities for physically challenged people remained on paper only and were yet to be properly implemented.

Physically challenged people were always neglected in society. Installation of ramps in public transports and buildings require a little space and a small amount of money but open new possibilities for physically challenged people, she said.

“The national building code is not maintained bybuilding ownersproperly/’sheadded.

Executive Committee Member of REHAB Anisuzzaman Bhuiyan pledged that REHAB members from now on would construct buildings with ramps.

Valerie A Taylor, founder and coordinator of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, and Prof Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal also spoke at the rally.

Earlier, the rally attendees brought out a procession, starting from Teacher-Student Centre and ending at the Shaheed Minar premises.