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January 04, 2007
Efforts on for barrier-free culture for disabled
The first information of 2007 is from Pakistan and it was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
We welcome your comments regarding the following news from Pakistan.
Wednesday, 03 January 2007
ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (APP): Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is working on several projects to provide an enabling culture that would allow full realization of the potential of disabled persons through their inclusive mainstreaming.
In this regard, the Ministry has been organizing a number of dialogues and seminars to finalize recommendations for design manual, model projects and building bye-laws report for creation of barrier-free environment for challenged persons, official sources in the ministry told APP here Wednesday.
The sources further said that a National Plan of Action had been launched in last April for effective implementation of the policy for the welfare of disabled persons.
They said that one of the major thrust areas of this Plan was a disabled friendly physical environment, which included physical access, transportation, communication and employment.
As a first step, five major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar have been declared disabled friendly cities and necessary modifications in the already constructed infrastructure are underway in collaboration with the CDA and Provincial/District governments, the sources added.
When asked the sources said it was the right of the special people to have access to all public building, parks, transport and public places, added, this will facilitate their mainstreaming and integration in the society to become productive and useful member of the society”.
Officials said Ministry has also launched a project entitled “Design Manual and Mode Projects” for creation of barrier free culture for the persons with disabilities and directed all concerned to ensure provision of facilities for persons with disabilities in all new projects.
http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1433&Itemid=2
Posted by jicafriends at January 4, 2007 04:22 PM