Int'l Day for Disabled today

ISLAMABAD—The International Day of Disabled will be observed across the world on December 3.
The UN General Assembly decided on the World Programme of Action for Disabled People on December 3, 1982.
While, the International Day of Disabled, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. It was aimed to promote full participation of disabled in social life and development as well as prevention and rehabilitation measures.
The annual observance of the Day is aimed s at creating awareness and understanding disability issues and trends and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels, by persons with disabi lities. Those with disabilities are able and willing to contribute to economic, political and cultural life of their communities, but are facing barriers which must be eliminated to ensure that people with disabilities, their families and communities can participate to their fullest potential in all aspects of life and in society.
Policies and strategies to bring persons with disabilities into social and economic mainstream increasingly are recognised as superior from both an economic and a social perspective because of focus on strengthening capacities of persons with disabilities to make economic contributions. In Pakistan, the systematic care of persons with disabilities was brought into focus in the 1980s with the observance of 1982 as the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons.
The present government, under the leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf, has finalized the first "National Policy For Persons with Disabilities" aimed at bringing social revolution in the country.
The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education has set up 54 Special Edcation Centres and 12 Special Institutions for the rehabilitation of special people as a part of "Khushal Pakistan Programme".
However, the World Health Organisation estimates that there are over 600 million disabled people worldwide, about 10% of the world population. Increasing disabilities are seen as a social issue.

President, PM assure facilities to disabled

ISLAMABAD—To mark the "International Day for DisablePersons" President and PM in their separate messages have said that theday indicates the commitments and resolve of our society to make life comfortable for persons with disabilities.
The President General Pervez Musharraf said that the annual observance of Dec 3 as the International day for disabled provides theinternational community with opportunities to consider the rich contributions made by persons with disabilities to the societies in which they live. He said that it was a day to reaffirm the commitment to the teaching of Islam in this regard.
The president said that major priority of the government is on promoting full and active participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life saying that government is fully committed to provide healthcare facilities, education, employment and rehabilitation to persons with disabilities and several decisions have been taken in this regard. "Today let us pledge to build our country as on of the most favourable and truly accessible, caring and integrated society for persons with disabilities.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the day is actually a reminder to us that we have to develop strategies and identify the programme, which can help special persons to stand on their feet and become useful citizens in whatever sphere of national activity they can participate.
He said that the government has approved a national plan for persons with disabilities in 2002, to ensure all required facilities for them and to make them useful members of society. "Our collective efforts should be focused on raising awareness and promoting greater understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities," the PM said adding that in this way we will be able to promote respect for the rights of special persons in particular and human rights in general.