Parents call for govt support for children with special needs
An event titled "Parents' Conference 25" for children and individuals with special needs was held today at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, drawing attention to the pressing need for government support for families raising differently-abled children.
The conference aimed to address the long-term care needs of these children and highlighted the challenges faced by their families, according to a press release.
The event was inspired by the distressing story of Noyon, a young boy found wandering alone near a shopping complex in Mouchak. Exhibiting unusual behavior, Noyon's face, covered in dust and unrecognizable, was captured in a viral Facebook video. This sparked widespread concern among the public.
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The following day, Jhumna Mollick Jhumi and her team tracked down Noyon, who was unable to speak or identify himself. His plight became a poignant symbol of the growing question: what will happen to children with special needs when their parents are no longer around to care for them?
The conference underscored the urgent need for long-term care solutions and better support systems for children with special needs, drawing attention to the increasing concerns of families and caregivers across the country.
Jhuma Mollick Jhumi, founder of the Bangladesh Society for Parents of the Differently Abled, chaired the event.
Fazle Siddique Md Yahia, director of the National Disability Development Foundation, attended as the chief guest, while Dhaka University Assistant Prof S M Toufiq Abir was the special guest, reads the release.
Jhuma stressed the lack of government support for children with special needs beyond age 14, demanding increased allowances, medical care, and a dedicated ministry. She called for safe homes with therapy, education, and employment opportunities at the district level.
"Parents worry about who will care for their children in their absence. The state must take responsibility," she said.
Parent Marufa Zaman urged proper representation of disabilities in textbooks, warning against broad labeling as autism.
S M Toufiq Abir emphasized the need for trained professionals and research at Subarna Bhaban in Mirpur, proposing special education courses in universities.
Chief guest Fazle Siddique Md Yahia supported calls for a separate ministry, highlighting the estimated 3.4 million people with disabilities in Bangladesh. He urged parents to stay united and assured them of government action on hybrid safe homes and disability assessment tools.
The conference, attended by 40 parents and supported by messages from across the country, concluded with guests honored for their contributions. It reinforced the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure a dignified future for individuals with special needs, the release added.
