No place for people with disabilities?

The poignant story of Mahafuzar Rahman which appeared in this paper on Feb 25, ought to move the conscience of the state, and impel it to take concrete steps to make state institutions more inclusive of physically challenged persons. The 35-year-old from Lalmonirhat, who has no use of his right hand since birth, has returned all his academic certificates to the government, to express his frustration over not getting any government jobs despite consistent efforts to make himself a productive member of the country.

In spite of the challenges dealt to him by fate, Mahafuzar secured first division in both SSC and HSC exams, and graduated with a Master's degree from Rangpur Carmichael College with a second class. Even with these qualifications, he could not get a job as a primary school teacher.

Mahafuzar is one of countless talented and educated physically challenged persons in this country who are denied the right to a dignified and constructive life, discriminated against at every stage, by state and private institutions, and society at large. It is unfortunate that the 10 percent quota for people with disabilities continue to remain unfulfilled, while citizens like Mahafuzar struggle in vain to access government jobs. The situation is arguably worse in the private sector, with employers failing to take affirmative action to include more of them in the workforce and treating people with disabilities as burdens rather than as resources.

The call for a disabled-friendly workplace needs to be taken seriously by all concerned stakeholders, and a comprehensive national action plan must be put in place to address the institutional impediments that deny a considerable section of our populace the freedom to live and work as they please.