International moot: Problems faced by the disabled universal

Concluding session of three-day conference highlights challenges.

ISLAMABAD:

The difficulties faced by physically challenged people are not confined to developing countries but are in fact universal. This was the conclusion reached on the last day of a conference for persons with disabilities.

Participants highlighted a lack of political will, poor commitment in fulfilling international obligations, shortage of finances and public among countries where physically challenged people are deprived of their basic rights. The three-day conference was attended by representatives of organisations from 20 countries.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Tanja Kern, a member of an international welfare organisation working for the disabled in Germany, said the disabled there have almost the same issues as those in developing countries. “Many schools in Germany are not prepared to provide professional services to children suffering from various forms of challenges.”

Hend Al Showaiera, a Saudi from the same organisation who herself has a hearing impairment, said “Currently there is no interpreter training programme at the university level for those whose hearing is impaired and teachers learn the sign language from their students.” Showaiera said some families hide disabled children as they consider disability a curse.

Palestine Baitul Arab Society for Rehabilitation Director Programme Rima Canawati, who is visually impaired, said disabled people in her region face tremendous discrimination. They lack equal opportunities access to education, health services and transportation. “Families hide their disabled daughters as they fear their other daughters won’t get married.” Very few disabled women get married and those who do, face acceptance issues from their husbands and in-laws, she added.

On the occasion, a three-year community-based inclusive development plan to empower the physically challenged people was also launched.

The event was organised by the Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) in collaboration with the law ministry, Unesco, Asia-Pacific Development Centre on Disability and the British Council. STEP President Atif Sheikh said, “There is need of an inter-ministerial coordination to accelerate the process of adopting the United Nation’s Convention on Rights of Disabled Persons as it is a cross-cutting issue.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2013.