Call for inclusive education for children with disabilities

Children with disabilities perform at a cultural programme at the closing session of an awareness campaign titled 'Road to Rights' on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city yesterday. Photo: STAR

Speakers at an awareness campaign yesterday called on all to stand by the children with disabilities and help ensure their rights.
They also called for inclusive education for them so that they can integrate into the mainstream of society.
The Disabled Research and Rehabilitation Association (DRRA) in collaboration with ActionAid Bangladesh and Liliane Fonds-Netherlands organised the four-day programme titled 'Road to Rights' that ended on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city yesterday.
The campaign was aimed at raising awareness about the rights of children with disabilities who account for about three percent of the persons with disabilities.
During the campaign that began at Satkhira, the organisers collected signatures on a white canvas. The signatures will be submitted to the prime minister.
Speaking at the closing session of the campaign, State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam said the government has already made a draft law to establish the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
The law will be finalised soon, he added.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said the children with disabilities should get the opportunity to grow up and achieve their potential like other children in society.
She also emphasised the need for inclusive education for them in order to integrate them into the mainstream of society.
They do need special education, but they should be taught according to their particular needs, she added.
Wahida Banu, president of Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), Khandakar Zahurul Alam, president of National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD), Dr Golam Rahman, president of DRRA, and Kazi Rozi, convener, Disability Rights Watch Group, also spoke.
Earlier, the children with disabilities presented a cultural show.