Walk held to mark day for disabled

Participants of walk condemn discrimination against people with disabilities

KARACHI:

Special children are eligible to be provided with vocational education and training, said Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) Sindh Secretary Taha Ahmad Farooqi.

He said this while speaking to the media during an awareness walk organised at Seaview Clifton Karachi on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities under DEPD, Sindh Government.

The walk was organised to create awareness regarding the fundamental rights of mentally and physically challenged persons and to take measures for the social problems faced by them. Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Rajput was also present on the occasion as the special guest.

The children danced to the beat of the drum and melodious tune in the walk. Public and private rehabilitation centres, students of various universities and civil society members participated in the walk in large numbers.

The participants of the walk condemned discrimination against people with disabilities.

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Ahmad Farooqi said that private schools disqualify mentally and physically challenged children. He assured that steps are being taken to ensure the legal protection of these children.

"Private schools consider only those children with good marks to be eligible. Actions are being taken against private schools involved in violating the law", he added.

Farooqi further said that mentally weak children can be provided with vocational education and training.

Every government institution is trying to employ disabled people according to their quota. If disabled people get even a 2 per-cent quota instead of 5 per-cent in government departments, their problems will be overcome to a great extent.

Children who joined the walk said that they participate in sports, painting and other extracurricular activities. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 per-cent of the world's population consists of people with disabilities. The teachers stress to enhance their vocational skill, and said that disabled people in various rehabilitation centres have become financially independent using their talent.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2023.