December 3, 2002	Tuesday	Ramazan 27,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Ministry of women development, social welfare and special education, with a view to create awareness of the rights of special people, has planned various programmes on the occasion of International Disabled Day on Tuesday.

The federal secretary for women development, social welfare and special education, Parveen Qadir Agha, giving details of the events said an art and declamation contest among the students of special education institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad had been organized.

Children representing special education institutions will participate in the programme to be held at Al-Farabi Centre for Physically Handicapped, she added.

She said adviser to the prime minister, Nilofar Bakhtiar, would be the chief guest on the occasion, while prominent figures from the world of sports and music, including Imran Khan, Jehangir Khan, Jansher Khan and Shehzad Roy had been invited as special guests.

Three special athletes, who won gold and bronze medals in the Olympics held in Korea, will also attend the function, she added.

The federal secretary called upon media to play its role in creating sensitivity about the issues of special people and projecting the already available services.

She said efforts should be made to integrate special people with normal people by creating an enabling environment.

Meanwhile, various organizations and associations have also chalked out different programmes with a commitment to work with more dedication to help special people.

Pakistan is a committed partner in the global movement for the betterment of this segment of the society. Asia and Pacific countries had recently gathered in Japan to mark the completion of the Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. Various decisions were taken and achievements were highlighted at the international forum and Pakistan formulated a national policy for persons with disabilities.

The policy has been formulated with a vision to provide an environment that will allow realization of potentials of the special people by providing full support of the government, private sector and the civil society.

It sets a goal for employment of special persons irrespective of cast, creed, religion, gender, etc. in all spheres of life.

The issues relating to the persons with disabilities gained attention during 80’s, as the directorate general special education (DGSE) was setup at the federal level in 1982 and within a few years, about 45 special education and rehabilitation centres were established all over the country.

Job quota and other concessions for the special persons were also provided under the law.

The areas of focus of the policy are: early intervention, education, vocational training and rehabilitation, research and development, advocacy and mass awareness, sports and recreation, provision of easy access in buildings, parks and public places.