'Develop facilities for the disabled'

Lack of community facilities for the handicapped at the government offices, educational institutes, hotels, shops and parks is a major barrier to their participation in different activities, they said and called for raising awareness about disability-related issues.

A report on a research study titled 'Ability through accessibility' was presented at the discussion organised by the Handicap International (HI) and the National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) in the city.

The study initiated by the HI and NFOWD focussed on the inaccessible infrastructure, transportation and information for the handicapped.

Kazi Monowarul Haque, secretary, ministry of social welfare, Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, director of Impact Foundation Bangladesh, Barbrow Henrikson, disability adviser to the Interlife Bangladesh, and Khandaker Jahurul Alam, president of the NFOWD, spoke at the discussion.