Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government will take initiatives to increase allowances for persons with disabilities, considering the country’s financial capacity, to help them lead more comfortable lives.
“We will take steps to increase allowances for persons with disabilities, taking into account the financial capacity of the state, so that they can live with greater comfort,” he said.
The prime minister made the remarks on Saturday at an exchange of views with representatives of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Emphasising that supporting persons with disabilities is the responsibility of both the government and society, Tarique Rahman said they are an integral part of society and their rights, dignity and needs must be properly addressed. He said the government was committed to addressing shortcomings in services and facilities for persons with disabilities.
The government will consider introducing sign language services at government offices and courts, and relevant ministries will be instructed to take necessary steps in this regard, he added.
Highlighting the importance of skills development and employment, the prime minister said persons with disabilities should be given opportunities to develop their talents and receive various forms of training to become economically self-reliant. The government will also consider expanding training opportunities for them in the information technology sector.
He instructed the social welfare minister to take necessary initiatives in this regard.
The prime minister said the government would discuss with the Ministry of Health the possibility of arranging sign language interpreters at hospitals to remove communication barriers for persons with disabilities seeking medical treatment. Initiatives would also be taken to ensure legal assistance for women with disabilities.
Stressing the need for reliable data to determine the actual number of persons with disabilities in the country, he said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics would be instructed to collect accurate information and submit it to the government.
The government will also consider providing special facilities for farmers with disabilities and raising the age limit for their entry into government jobs, he said.
On transportation, Tarique Rahman stressed the need to address mobility challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The government will examine ways to make pink bus services more suitable for women with special needs and explore the introduction of disability-friendly buses in Dhaka and other major cities.
He also said instructions had been issued to ensure that new building designs include appropriate facilities for the access and movement of persons with disabilities. Building plans that fail to meet these requirements may not receive approval.
Welcoming a proposal to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in educational institutions, the prime minister said the government would discuss the matter with the Ministry of Education and take necessary measures.
Regarding a proposal to ensure representation of persons with disabilities in parliament, he said the matter involved constitutional considerations and would be discussed with party leaders.
He further noted that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed among the relevant ministries responsible for social welfare, law, and women and children’s affairs to facilitate legal assistance for persons with disabilities.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Tarique Rahman said persons with disabilities face various limitations and challenges, and the government would make every effort to support them.
“Every person has the right to live with honour and dignity. The government will work to ensure that persons with disabilities receive the necessary facilities and opportunities to become self-reliant and lead comfortable lives,” he said.
During the meeting, 30 persons with disabilities and representatives of different organisations presented their demands and described the challenges they face. The discussion was moderated by Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder and executive director of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity.
