ISLAMABAD – Special desk would be established at all the government hospitals to provide free medical treatments to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) on priority basis.
“Special identity cards for PWDs would be essential for availing this facility besides a number of other incentives including 50 percent concession in air and train fare, jobs on reserved quota etc,” said Secretary, Capital Administration and Development (CADD), Riffat Shaheen Qazi here on Thursday.
Addressing a ceremony as chief guest to celebrate “Happiness Day: An inclusive Society for Children with Disabilities” at Al-Farabi National Special Education Centre, she said special measures will be taken up to ensure the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the mainstream society.
The ceremony was organised by Directorate General of Special Education (DGSC) in collaboration with Pakistan Qaumi Yekhjehti Council.
The federal secretary added that role of media is essential for highlighting issues of the PWD and bringing the behavioural change for the neglected segment of the society.
She further added that the Government is taking concrete steps for addressing needs of special children.
“A number of steps have been taken up for the education, training and rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities,” she said. She emphasised the need of registration of Persons with Disabilities with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the provision of Special National Identity Card.
Through these cards PWDs would be able to take advantage of 10 years age relaxation in government jobs and soft loans for small entrepreneurship.
Ghayoor Sultana, Director General Special Education and Social Welfare sharing her views said that the moot has been designed to highlight the talent of special children among masses and share the happiness with them.
She said rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities is possible through involvement of all segments of the society for which civil society and corporate sector should come forward and play pivotal role for the realisation of the rights marginalised segments of t.
Secretary CADD and Director General Special Education and Social Welfare also distributed gift items among children who took part in different activities.
More than 500 children with disabilities from different Special Education Centres participated in the event.