‘Disabled people need sustainable empowerment to be economically capable’

Sustainable empowerment and inclusion of people with visual impairment and other disabilities in society is a necessity.

Mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities has to be ensured through the elimination of discrimination and injustices.

Speakers said this on Saturday at the 30 years celebration programme of Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organisation (Berdo).

They also highlighted the need for ensuring the economic capability of disabled people.

Planning Minister MA Mannan joined the online programme as the chief guest.

Also, Ahsan Group Managing Director Engineer Quamrul Ahsan and Energypac Director Engineer Nurul Akter joined the programme as the special guests.

Berdo Executive Director of Saidul Huq presided over the discussion. 

Speaking at the programme, MA Mannan urged everyone to work for the development of persons with disabilities. "The government is always working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities."

Quamrul Ahsan said that he will always support Berdo because of the nature of its work.

Saidul Huq said, "Berdo has always tried to focus on ensuring equal access, active participation and dignified life for persons with disability." 

"By running a school for the blind since 2006, Berdo is providing education to children with visual impairment through the Braille system."

"It also operates a residential school for the children with visual impairment, School of Information and Technology for the Visually Impaired, Braille Book Production Centre, Empowerment Program for the Children with Disabilities, Promotion of Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh, Community Based Rehabilitation programme," said Berdo executive director.

Berdo set up the School of Information and Technology for the Visually Impaired to provide training on computer skills to the blind students.

To make them proficient in computer operation and internet, Berdo has so far trained more than 200 students.

The organisation also works on finding appropriate employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. 

It usually communicates with prospective employers for employing persons with disabilities as per their competencies and qualifications. 

However, Saidul pointed to the need for government support to set up a Braille press at the Berdo office premises so that the blind learners can get more support from the organisation.