Dhaka Bureau: Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed MP said that a project has been taken up to build permanent housing and rehabilitation centers for people with neuro-developmental disabilities. Eight housing and rehabilitation centers will be set up in eight divisional cities across the country.
The minister said these while addressing the discussion session of the program organized to celebrate the 16th World Autism Awareness Day 2023 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital today.
Ministry of Social Welfare Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam presided over the event as special guests, along with State Minister for Social Welfare Md. Ashraf Ali Khan Khosru MP and President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare Rashed Khan Menon MP.
The minister said that people have been able to understand that people with disabilities are the wealth of the country due to various activities of the current government. Earlier, disability was considered a curse. At present, the number of disabled people identified in the country is about three million. 100% of the allowance for identified disabled persons and disabled students is getting stipend. Therapeutic services, special education, and parent and caregiver training for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
The minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the establishment of eight housing and rehabilitation centers in eight divisions of the country for education, health, employment, housing, and rehabilitation of people with neuro-developmental disabilities. The centers will be a one-stop shop with all modern technological facilities to enable NDD persons to live a better and more assured life.
In the speech of the special guest, the state minister for social welfare said that development is not possible without excluding any part of the society. Autistic individuals are being empowered with appropriate training and support. In his speech, the state minister called upon the government as well as private and voluntary organizations to work on autism.
Another special guest, Rashed Khan Menon MP, said that since the enactment of the law on NDD in 2013, awareness about this type of disability has increased. Due to various initiatives of the government, they have entered the mainstream of society. Programs for the development of people with disabilities should be accelerated.
Later, the minister presented awards to 10 individuals and 3 organizations for their special contributions to autism.
At the end, there was a colorful cultural program with the participation of children with autism.
