2024-05-07 04:06:21
Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Dipu Moni said that every establishment should ensure the accessibility of disabled people. It should be ensured that they can freely enter vehicles, roads, bazaars and all institutions.
He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at a function organized by the Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children (SWAC) on the occasion of the 17th World Autism Awareness Day at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon of the capital on Monday (May 6).
Chairperson of SWAK Subarna Chakma presided over the event as special guests, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Dipankar Talukder and Senior Vice President of FBCCI Md. Amin Helali.
The minister said that the Prime Minister’s daughter, World Health Organization Regional Director Saima Wazed has played a pioneering role in creating awareness about autism in Bangladesh. She has led the way in creating awareness and policy on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee. He is largely responsible for the positive change in people today regarding NDD and Autism in the country. Today, Autism Awareness is being created among the common families of Bangladesh and they are able to identify their child’s disability. The government is standing by them with training and medical services. But we have to go further. I offer my respect and regards to the parents. Only they know how many obstacles they have to overcome constantly. I also salute the special teachers, and care givers who are dedicated to working for these special children.
The minister also said that the government has passed the Neuro Developmental Disability Protection Trust Act 2013, the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013, the Neuro Developmental Disabilities NDD Protection Trust Rules 2015, the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2015, and the rights and protection of persons with disabilities. Protection Rules 2015, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Counseling Act 2018 and Disability Special Education Policy 2019 have been formulated. From the formulation of these laws and regulations and related activities, we can see how our current government is playing a leading role in protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Which will be written as a glorious chapter in the history of Bangladesh.
Under the NDD Protection Trust, activities are underway to establish 14 Autism and NDD Seva Kendras as projects in 14 locations across the country in the current financial year 2023-24. The minister also said that the process of establishing eight medical, educational and rehabilitation centers in eight divisions of the country is ongoing.