ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Monday said that integration of differently-abled into the society was imperative to capitalising their potentials.

He said that their digitalised integration would contribute to socio-economic activities.

He stressed the need for registration of differently-abled persons on priority to have their data for effective policy-making for them.

He expressed these views while launching the Mobile App “Equal Access” in Parliament House, on Monday for people with disabilities to bridge the gap between differently-abled and services available for them.

Speaker Asad Qaiser appreciated the efforts of Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP), British Council and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), for developing the Mobile Application “Equal Access”.

Referring to the enactment of Law on protection of rights of differently-abled by the National Assembly and constitution of Parliamentary Committee in this regard, said that legislature would always stand by the people with disabilities for their inclusion in the society as productive members through effective policy, legislation and oversight on its implementation.

Executive Director STEP Ali Sheikh, speaking on the occasion, said that content of the App has been developed by differently-abled people by themselves having personal experiences and professional background of working directly with disabled people in diversified communities across the country.

British Council Deputy Director Mark Crossey said that Equal Access App is built on through excellent multi-stakeholders partnership, addressing diversity and the inclusion of PWDs.

He said that they would continue this initiative which is in line with achieving “Build Back Better” toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

STEP Project Director Ms Abia Akram, who herself is a differently-abled person, acknowledged the contribution and support of British Council and PTA.

She mentioned that this initiative would be the benchmark for many developing countries in the world.

PTA Chairman retired Maj-Gen Amir Azeem Bajwa appreciated the British Council and STEP for their valuable contribution to the development of the Mobile App.

Later, giving the features of the App, the Executive Director STEP informed that the app will provide information in accessible formats including sign language interpretation, sound description, dark mode and resizable text formats.

The initiative Equal Access is supported by British Council AAWAZ-II programme which is a five year programme working with the local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Provinces to promote rights of children, women, and youth and other marginalised groups including people with disabilities, minorities and transgender persons to strengthen their control over their own development.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2020