Institutional support for the disabled
Thursday, 5 June 2008
NEARLY 17 per cent of the population being handicapped by different physical disabilities can't look after themselves. More needs to be done to mitigate their woes. As it is, most of them are compelled to lead a life of complete dependence on other family members. Institutional care and support for the disabled is very limited or insignificant. In affluent families, disability is not so much of a problem for the obvious reasons. But physically handicapped persons are a great burden on the poor families. For the disabled poor there should be more institutional care and support which can be developed by the government. Private charities and non governmental organisations should play a greater role in this respect.
The disabled need shelter and feeding. Training in different skills would enable them to do jobs so that they can support themselves. This is quite possible as the experience of many countries show. Disabled people in many Scandinavian countries, in particular, being trained, are working in different productive sectors of the economy. Training, encouragement and support from governmental and social organizations have empowered them. As a result they are now social assets, not liabilities.
Bangladesh should adopt a policy guided by a similar strategy to integrate the disabled into the social mainstream. It would enable to work and lead a productive and happier life. Specially, they can be trained for different services in the information technology (IT) sector. Given proper social or governmental support, disability may not be so much of a problem for a disabled individual in his or her journey through life. They can be useful to themselves and the society.
Farzana Haque
Purana Paltan, Dhaka.
The disabled need shelter and feeding. Training in different skills would enable them to do jobs so that they can support themselves. This is quite possible as the experience of many countries show. Disabled people in many Scandinavian countries, in particular, being trained, are working in different productive sectors of the economy. Training, encouragement and support from governmental and social organizations have empowered them. As a result they are now social assets, not liabilities.
Bangladesh should adopt a policy guided by a similar strategy to integrate the disabled into the social mainstream. It would enable to work and lead a productive and happier life. Specially, they can be trained for different services in the information technology (IT) sector. Given proper social or governmental support, disability may not be so much of a problem for a disabled individual in his or her journey through life. They can be useful to themselves and the society.
Farzana Haque
Purana Paltan, Dhaka.