They also stressed the need for change of mentality at familial, societal and state level to make people with disability self-confident in leading their life.

The workshop titled 'Role of the government and civil society for the implementation of Persons with Disability Welfare Act 2001' was organised by Action on Disability and Development (ADD) at the seminar room of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) in the city.

In a written statement Fazlul Azim of ADD said although a total of 10 percent of the population is disabled they are deprived of different facilities at familial, societal and state level.

"If the Zila Committees for persons with disability are made active, problems regarding their admission in school, free education, vocational training and training for their teachers can be resolved," he added.

Speaking as chief guest Muhammad Maksudur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka district, expressed regret that the Welfare Act 2001 is yet to be implemented completely.

Stressing the need for changing mentality, he urged all to work together for the development of the people with disability.

"Economic constraint is not the major obstacle but mentality," he added.

Shafiqul Islam, deputy director of Social Welfare Department, pointed out the lack of adequate manpower to coordinate all the matters related to disability issues.

He also observed that often the specialised and training institutions for the people with disability at district level are found empty.

He urged their families to utilise these institutions.

Rina Roy of Manusher Jonno, Aktar Hossain and Joly Aktar of National Grassroots Disabled Organisation, and Mostafa Kamal of ADD also spoke on the occasion.