Physically challenged call for inclusive society

Twenty physically challenged young men and women, who are participating in a programme for training journalists, yesterday urged for an inclusive society where everyone's contributions matter.

They were addressing the launching event of an innovative programme "Promoting Persons with Disabilities through Participation in Media" at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Two non-government organisations -- Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), and Sightsavers -- with support from the European Union took the initiative to train physically challenged people.

Shameem Ara Sheuli, executive director of ICS, said they were training them so that they could work in media outlets in the future.

Sabrina Sultana, president of B-scan, an organisation promoting causes of physically and mentally challenged people, is one of the participants.

She said they have been speaking about simple changes like ramps at various public facilities but that has not yet been implemented in many places.

Referring to a study, Mario Ronconi, who heads the cooperation unit of EU in Bangladesh, stressed that economic cost of exclusion of physically challenged people could be as high as 18 percent of the GDP.   

Speaking as the chief guest, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said each and every person in the society has the capability to do something for it.

He said a state and society which ignore rights of physically and mentally challenged people and are reluctant to include them are depriving them from making their contributions.

Dr Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, said it is the state's duty to ensure rights of people with disabilities.    

Chaired by Prof Dr Shakhawat Ali Khan, the programme was addressed, among others, by Sightsavers Country Director Khondoker Ariful Islam and a number of journalists and representatives of different organisations promoting the cause of physically challenged people.