Today marks the International Day of People with Disability.
Despite admirable work by campaigners and health professionals who have helped improve legal recognition for the rights of disabled people, a change in mindset is still needed to ensure the government and employers do more to include disabled people.
By overlooking the challenges faced by disabled people in education and healthcare, society squanders the potential of millions of individuals.
Everyone can benefit if we do more to help people with disabilities in Bangladesh empower themselves through education and employment.
A lot more can and should be done to ensure an inclusive environment for disabled citizens. Improving access to education and healthcare is especially vital to ensure disabled people achieve their potential in life.
Educational institutions should take a lead in improving counseling, healthcare, and vocational training for disabled students. This will both directly aid more individuals who are less able and will do much to improve attitudes in society in general.
This is key to bringing about the practical improvements which employers and providers of public services, such as transport operators, need to undertake to improve the accessibility and ease with which disabled people can go about their daily lives.
Respecting the rights of disabled people and working towards equal opportunity is important to ensure everyone in Bangladesh can meet their potential free from discrimination and neglect.
