Int’l Day of Persons with Disabilities today

International Day of Persons with Disabilities and National Disabled Day-2016 will be observed in the country as elsewhere in the world on Saturday aiming to create mass awareness to extend supports and provide adequate facilities for the people with differently able.

The ministry of Social Welfare and the Social Welfare Department chalked up different programmes along with the National Disability Development Foundation, National Disability Forum and different social organisations to observe the day in a befitting manner.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend the main function as the chief guest at the Osmani Memorial auditorium at 10.30 am, reports BSS.

State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed on Thursday revealed different programmes at a press briefing at his ministry to observe the day.

Secretary- in-Charge of the Social Welfare Ministry Md Zillar Rahman, among others, also addressed the press conference.

Nuruzamman said a seven-day ‘Disabled Development Fair’ is set to begin on December 3 at Mirpur-14 in the city. Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Haque will inaugurate the fair.

To express its solidarity with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) is going to organize a roundtable at its board room to examine the legal rights of persons with disability and the initiatives towards promoting a more inclusive society.

Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri, former member, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from Bangladesh and a visually impaired development practitioner, has kindly consented to attend the roundtable.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 10 per cent of the global population or 650 million people across the world live with a disability of any sort.

The Day is marked around the world annually on December 3 since 1992 to promote awareness and mobilise support for critical issues pertaining to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development.

The state-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will air special programmes to mark the Day.