Representation of disabled people in union council bodies demanded
Thursday, 23 April 2009
FE Report
Speakers at a roundtable Wednesday demanded inclusion of representatives of people with disabilities (PwDs) in the different standing committees of the union parishads so that the local governments could take initiatives more efficiently for the welfare of disabled people.
They urged the government to take immediate steps for ensuring their participation at least in three of such committees in all the union parishads across the country so that the fundamental rights of the disabled people could not be neglected at the grassroots level.
Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV) organised the roundtable titled 'Role of Local Government in Mainstreaming People with Disability in the Society' at BIAM Foundation in the city.
The speakers sought budget allocations so that these allocations could be used for service of the disabled people. They also put importance on making lists in the union parishad offices of such people that needed special support and assistance for addressing their problems in the development planning.
Addressing the roundtable as the chief guest Advocate Rahmat Ali, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperatives, said the government is taking steps for ensuring the fundamental rights of disabled people as well as strengthening the union parishad system.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, said the government should take special initiatives to raise mass awareness of disability as most of the people of the society negatively treat them at all the places including schools, colleges, streets and working places.
She also suggested introduction of a special allowance for such people, which should be higher than other allowances.
Sukomol Roy, SARPV programme director, said the main aims of the project are to mainstream people with disabilities for ensuring their education and participation in social activities with dignity through employment creation, enhancing mobility, access to service and creating a friendly environment for them in the society.
Speakers at a roundtable Wednesday demanded inclusion of representatives of people with disabilities (PwDs) in the different standing committees of the union parishads so that the local governments could take initiatives more efficiently for the welfare of disabled people.
They urged the government to take immediate steps for ensuring their participation at least in three of such committees in all the union parishads across the country so that the fundamental rights of the disabled people could not be neglected at the grassroots level.
Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV) organised the roundtable titled 'Role of Local Government in Mainstreaming People with Disability in the Society' at BIAM Foundation in the city.
The speakers sought budget allocations so that these allocations could be used for service of the disabled people. They also put importance on making lists in the union parishad offices of such people that needed special support and assistance for addressing their problems in the development planning.
Addressing the roundtable as the chief guest Advocate Rahmat Ali, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperatives, said the government is taking steps for ensuring the fundamental rights of disabled people as well as strengthening the union parishad system.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, said the government should take special initiatives to raise mass awareness of disability as most of the people of the society negatively treat them at all the places including schools, colleges, streets and working places.
She also suggested introduction of a special allowance for such people, which should be higher than other allowances.
Sukomol Roy, SARPV programme director, said the main aims of the project are to mainstream people with disabilities for ensuring their education and participation in social activities with dignity through employment creation, enhancing mobility, access to service and creating a friendly environment for them in the society.