Govt targets mainstreaming persons with disabilities thru skill development

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has affirmed the government’s commitment to transforming persons with disabilities into productive human resources through targeted education, vocational training, and comprehensive rehabilitation.

Speaking to the media following a meeting with officials at the National Foundation for the Development of Persons with Disabilities in Mirpur on Wednesday, Dr. Zahid emphasized that inclusive development is a top priority for the administration. 

He noted that by equipping this segment of the population with specialized skills, the state aims to transition them from the fringes of society into the economic mainstream.

“Our objective is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not viewed as a burden but as a public resource,” the minister stated. 

He further explained that the government’s strategy involves not only providing education but also facilitating active job placement and encouraging private institutions to create disability-friendly employment opportunities.

To achieve these goals, Dr. Zahid announced plans to upgrade and expand specialized educational institutions and service centers. 

A key part of this expansion involves decentralizing services to ensure that facilities currently concentrated in Dhaka are made available across the country.

“Without a sufficient pool of trained professionals and instructors, we cannot deliver the high-quality services our citizens deserve,” he added. 

The minister reiterated that the government is working to build an inclusive social system where every individual has the opportunity to lead a dignified and self-reliant life.