Govt committed to create barrier-free environment for disabled

ISLAMABAD, Oct 4 (APP): Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is committed to provide an enabling environment that would allow full realization of the potential of disabled persons through their inclusive mainstreaming.
In this regard, the Ministry had organized a number of dialogues and seminars to finalize recommendations for design manual, model projects and building bye-laws report for creation of barrier free environment for challenged persons, official told APP here Friday.
He said that a National Plan of Action has already been launched for effective implementation of the policy for the welfare of disabled persons.
He said that one of the major thrust areas of this Plan is disabled friendly barrier free physical environment, which include physical access, transportation, communication and employment.
As a first step, five major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar have been declared disabled friendly cities and necessary modifications in the already
constructed infrastructure are underway in collaboration with the CDA and Provincial/District governments, they added.
When asked official said it is the right of the special people to have access to all public building, parks, transport and public places, added, this will facilitate their mainstreaming and integration in the society to become productive and useful member of the society”.
The government has issued necessary instructions to all Ministries and provincial governments to ensure provision of facilities for persons with disabilities in all new projects, he added.—Agencies