RANGPUR, Apr 3 (BSS): Speakers at a discussion have stressed for creating adequate awareness among the pregnant mothers to reduce the risk of autism and physical disability of the newborn babies.
They were addressing the discussion organized in observance of the World Autism Awareness Day-2014 at Shilpakola Academy auditorium on Wednesday afternoon.
The district administration, Department of Social Service (DSS), Society for Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled (SWID) in Bangladesh, Action on Disability & Development (ADD), different organisations working with disabled people chalked out programmes to observe the day.
The programmes included colourful processions, distribution of leaflets, poster exhibition, discussions, cultural function, competitions of the autistic and disabled children and prize giving ceremonies.
The autistic and disabled people including children, government and non-government officials and employees, socio-cultural and voluntary organisations, professionals, human rights and women activists participated in the rallies.
Joint Secretary General of SWID Bangladesh Shushanto Bhowmick attended the discussion as the chief guest with Deputy Director of the DSS of Rangpur Nazmun Nahar in the chair.
Registration Officer of DSS Mosaddekur Rahman presented the keynote paper in the discussion narrating the present situation on autism and disability in the country as well as in the district and various government steps for ensuring their welfare.
President of Rangpur Protibandhi Foundation and valiant freedom fighter Akbar Hossain, Disability Affairs Officer of 'Protibandhi Seba O Sohayota Kendra' Ashrafun Nahar, addressed the discussion as the special guests.
Executive Director of 'Manab Unnayan Sangstha' Nasrine Afroz Pallobi, Capacity Development Facilitator of ADD International Marufa Begum, Headmistress of Rangpur Protibandhi School Monwara Sultana Binu, Official of World Vision Bangladesh Sara Mita and autistic child Sohel also addressed.
The speakers said the autistic and disabled children and people deserve their proper constitutional rights but not mercy and they must get all privileges, as they are the integral parts of the whole society.
They thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Sayma Wazed Putul for taking various steps in establishing rights of the autistic children and disabled people to ensure their education, jobs, education, health care and other facilities.
