Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure necessary services for them across the country.
He also stressed the importance of building disability-friendly infrastructure and ensuring equal access to education, healthcare and other essential services as part of efforts to create an inclusive society.
The directives came at a meeting held at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss measures for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring services for them, said a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.
The prime minister said persons with disabilities must be given proper dignity and their capabilities should be duly recognised at every level of society.
“Practical steps must be taken so that they can actively participate in all activities of society and the state,” he said.
During the meeting, state ministers from different ministries highlighted various challenges, limitations and inadequate facilities faced by persons with disabilities.
The prime minister also instructed authorities to ensure disability-friendly infrastructure and toilet facilities in all government and private establishments, including hospitals and restaurants, under the building construction policy.
He said doorways should be designed to allow wheelchair users easy access.
The prime minister also directed that the planned electric buses for women include necessary facilities for persons with disabilities.
He asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen awareness campaigns and arrange programmes focusing on persons with disabilities.
The prime minister asked the authorities to examine whether schools for children with disabilities across the country are functioning properly.
He also suggested including children with disabilities in the Notun Kuri Sports competition.
The meeting decided to launch the Shishu Swarga project initially in 10 upazilas across 10 districts to ensure healthcare and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities.
Officials said the programme would be launched soon.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and secretaries of the relevant ministries attended the meeting.
Founder of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity Abdus Sattar Dulal also joined the meeting.