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Persons With Disabilities Introduce rights-based dev programmes

Speakers at the inaugural function of the 5th national leadership training workshop yesterday underscored the need for introducing rights-based development programmes in the country.

Bangladesh Protibandhi Kalyan Samity (BPKS) in collaboration with National Alliance of Disabled People's Organisations (NADPOs) and Caritas, Australia organised the training on 'Self-initiative of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to development' with BPKS Chairman Mozhar Ali was in chair.

Inaugurating the training as the chief guest, Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haq Mustafa Shaheed assured the organisers of giving all-out assistance from the government to establish the rights of PWDs.

He said the government would introduce news slot in sign language at Bangladesh Television very soon so that the people who are hearing-impaired can easily get the national news.

He further assured the workshop of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Making the development issue clear, noted economist Dr Atiur Rahman as the special guest said, "Development means no well-constructed buildings or roads but a change in the mindset."

Development is deeply related with rights. So, the country should take a holistic approach to the right-based development programmes, he added.

Atiur said some can try to be enlightened alone. If development does not occur, a whole darkness might engulf that enlightened person easily.

He warned that people voted for a positive change and development. If development process fails to satisfy expectations of the countrymen, frustration might appear devastatingly.

Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Justin Lee at the programme assured the government of providing continuous aid and support for the PWDs despite the global economic recession.

He also described how the Australian government is working to create opportunities for the people with disabilities.

Pointing to the access of persons with disabilities into public buildings, Institute of Architects Bangladesh President Mobasher Hossain said the government exacted a law to establish rights of PWDs. Now the law needs to be implemented properly.

"If the persons with disabilities can do their business on their own, why they need others," questioned BPKS Executive Director Abdus Sattar Dulal, saying that this is the right moment to let them take self-initiative for development.

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