KU to offer scholarships to persons with disabilities

KARACHI: Karachi University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said on Tuesday that KU would offer scholarships to persons with disabilities (PWDs).

During his address at the second international conference 'The Future is Accessible', organised by the special education department, he said that the departments and centres of the KU should entertain PWDs on priority basis and try to provide them maximum facilities.

He directed the KU education dean to prepare PC-I for the construction of the building for the special education department.

The VC said that around one billion PWDs live in different parts of the world.

Dealing with special persons should not be limited to individuals alone, but should involve the entire family, he added. "From my close observation, I have come to realise the agony and pain the parents and siblings of a special [physical or mental deficient] child have to suffer all through their lives," he said.

Dr Iraqi said that the families of special persons largely remain unaware of facilities available to them. "I feel that there is a need to publicise the benefits the social welfare departments of provincial and federal governments offer to these special people and their families".

He suggested that some literature about the issues and needs of the PWDs should be included in the education system at school and college level.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2019.