PM for ensuring rights for persons with disabilities

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 and ensuring services for persons with disabilities, said a release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.

The Prime Minister said people with special needs 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 doors of rooms should be designed in a way that allows easy access for wheelchair users.

Tarique Rahman also directed that the planned electric buses for women should 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.    �"UNB