'No public transport system for persons with disabilities'

Speakers stress need for creating an inclusive environment

KARACHI: Persons with disabilities face a lot of societal barriers that includes lack of accessible public transportation.

This was stated by University of Karachi (KU) Department of Special Education Assistant Professor Dr Shaista Naz while addressing a two-day seminar on International Day for Persons with Disability, titled, 'Awareness in Action towards a resilient society'.



The seminar was organised by the department of special education at the Arts Auditorium, KU.

"Today, there are at least 650 million persons with disabilities in the world, of which 400 million live in and around the Asia Pacific region. Around 70 million people in the world need a wheelchair of which 5% to 15% have access to one, while 360 million people have moderate to profound hearing loss," said Naz.

"The day we realise the amount of frustration and difficulties persons with disabilities face in their daily life, we will be able to grant them equal status in society," said Naz, adding that it's our responsibility to play a positive role in providing them adequate facilities and assistance in performing their day-to-day functions.

KU Department of Special Education Chairperson Dr Humera Aziz said that financial problems are very common among persons with disabilities because employment opportunities are very low for them.



"Even if they are employed, they face enormous difficulties in commuting since there is no public transport system favourable for persons with disabilities," said Dr Aziz.

Welfare states take special care of its persons with disabilities. Ramps are made in every educational institution, hospital and important places so that they can commute easily.