Focus on abilities: Children with disabilities showcase their talent on international day

Sensitise people on issues confronting the physically challenged.

SWAT:

Over 21,000 people in Swat district are disabled, a number that has doubled in a three-year span. This was among the facts revealed at an event organised by the Environmental Protection Society (EPS), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and Swat Scouts to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday.

Children with disabilities demonstrated their talent in various activities and were appreciated by the audience. They held banners inscribed with phrases like “We can do what we want”, “Show your abilities and not your disability”. The day concluded with a prize distribution ceremony to children with disabilities.

EPS Executive Director Akbar Zeb stressed on the importance of educating people to extend equal rights to disabled people in his welcoming speech. Assistant Commissioner Development Malakand Naeem Akthar said the constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of colour, creed, religion and disabilities. However, unfortunately due to lack of awareness, the rights [of disabled persons] are violated.

While the number of persons with disabilities has risen in the district, according to official records, the government has neglected to provide them with basic facilities, said Naeem Sultan Khan, a visually impaired person. “I’m running an institute for disabled persons in Matta tehsil. Even though officials come to visit, no assistance has been provided to date.

Man-made and natural disasters have affected disabled persons the most but the government has not announced any financial assistance to them,” he stated.

A member of the Swat Scouts, Sher Muhammad, who is also physically disabled himself, recommended that the two per cent quota for special persons in government jobs, should be enhanced. “The number of disabled persons has increased over the years and many degree holders are jobless,” he added.

A single institute currently provides primary education to visually impaired children, while another institute provides education up to grade eight for hearing and orally impaired children. There is no training academy for disabled children, who have to relocate to Peshawar or Islamabad and most families cannot afford the expenses involved in providing special education.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2011.