Access of disabled persons to be ensured in every sector: Dr. Dipu Moni
Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Dipu Moni said, entry of disabled people should be ensured in every sector. It should be ensured that they can freely enter vehicles, roads, bazaars and all institutions.
She said this while speaking as the chief guest at a function organized by the Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC) on the occasion of the 17th World Autism Awareness Day 2024 at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon of the capital on Monday (May 6).
Chaired by SWAC Subarna Chakma, the event was attended by, as special guests, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Dipankar Talukdar and Senior Vice President of FBCCI Md. Amin Helali.
The minister said that the Prime Minister's daughter, World Health Organization Regional Director Saima Wazed has played a pioneering role in creating awareness about autism in Bangladesh. As chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders, she has led the way in creating awareness and policy. She is largely responsible for the positive change that has taken place among people today regarding NDD and autism in the country. Autism awareness is being created among ordinary families in Bangladesh today and they are able to identify their child's disability. The government is standing by them with training and medical services. But we have to go further. I offer my respect and regards to the parents. Only they know how many obstacles they have to overcome constantly. I also salute the special teachers, and caregivers who are dedicated to working for these special children.
The minister said that the government, in order to create awareness about autism and proper management of their lifestyle, training, medical assistance, rehabilitation, Neuro Developmental Disabilities Protection Trust Act 2013, Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, Neuro Developmental Disabilities NDD Protection Trust Rules 2015, Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2015, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Counseling Act 2018, and Disability Special Education Policy 2019.
From the formulation of these laws and regulations and related activities, we can see how our present government is playing a leading role in protecting the rights of people with disabilities which will be written as a glorious chapter in the history of Bangladesh.
Under the NDD Protection Trust, activities are underway to establish 14 Autism and NDD Service Centers as a project in 14 locations in the country in the current financial year 2023-24. The minister also said that the process of establishing eight medical, educational and rehabilitation centers in eight divisions of the country is ongoing.