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State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said on Thursday(2 July) the government is working to ensure the rights, dignity and social inclusion of persons with disabilities through enhanced inter-ministerial coordination and the introduction of a comprehensive one-stop service delivery system.
“The Ministry of Social Welfare is already implementing various programmes for persons with disabilities, and we are now working to bring all services they are entitled to under a unified one-stop service framework,” she said.
The state minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination and Implementation Committee on the rights and protection of services for persons with disabilities at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat.
The meeting was organized by the Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Cell of the Health Services Division. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit and senior officials from various ministries and agencies were present.
Farzana Sharmin said the government plans to initially expand healthcare services for persons with disabilities at the upazila level under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Simultaneously, pilot initiatives will be launched in at least 10 districts or upazilas to develop an integrated service delivery model.
Under the pilot projects, the government aims to ensure access to education, physical and mental healthcare, skills development training and employment opportunities through a coordinated and inclusive framework.
“We want to help persons with disabilities develop their existing abilities according to their individual capacities and create opportunities for them to become productive members of society,” she said.
The state minister added that arrangements would also be made to support the marketing of products manufactured by persons with disabilities, thereby promoting their economic empowerment and financial independence.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive education, she said plans are underway to establish a master service centre that will provide integrated support services, including specialized training facilities.
“Trainees from across the country will be able to receive professional training in various fields at the centre.
After completing their training, they will have opportunities to serve as trainers at educational and other institutions,” she said.
Farzana Sharmin also revealed that the government is considering introducing a dedicated legal aid programme for persons with disabilities to ensure their access to justice and protect their rights in legal disputes and other complex situations.
“Persons with disabilities are often deprived of necessary legal support. We want to ensure that they receive the legal assistance and protection they deserve,” she said.
She emphasized that the government’s overarching objective is not only to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities but also to address the social and psychological challenges faced by their families.
“Our main goal is to improve the lives of persons with disabilities while helping their family members overcome the mental stress and social barriers they often experience,” she added.
The state minister said that under the proposed pilot programmes, special arrangements would also be introduced to enable parents who accompany their children to educational institutions to engage in income-generating activities during waiting periods, while their children receive care and supervision from doctors, physiotherapists and trained educators.
She said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to building an inclusive society in which persons with disabilities are integrated into the national mainstream and developed as valuable human resources.
Expressing optimism about the initiative’s success, Farzana Sharmin said, “Those who are marginalized today can become important national assets in the future if they are provided with the right opportunities, support and care.”