Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed relevant authorities to take effective initiatives to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure necessary services. He emphasized establishing disability-friendly infrastructure and ensuring all types of facilities, including education and healthcare, to build an inclusive society.

He issued these directives at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office within the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday (May 13). The meeting was convened to determine necessary actions for protecting the rights and ensuring services for persons with disabilities.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, during the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the dignity and capabilities of individuals with special needs must be appropriately evaluated at every level of society. Practical steps must be taken to enable their active participation in all social and state activities.

Ministers of State from various ministries present at the meeting highlighted the problems, limitations, and inadequate facilities faced by persons with disabilities. The Prime Minister then issued several important directives.

He stated that building construction guidelines must ensure accessible infrastructure and toilet facilities for individuals with special needs in all government and private establishments, including hospitals and restaurants. Room doors must be constructed to allow easy access for wheelchair users.

The Prime Minister also directed that electric buses planned for women should include necessary facilities for individuals with special needs. Additionally, he emphasized that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should focus on awareness-raising activities and organize various programs involving persons with special needs.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed an investigation into whether schools for persons with disabilities across the country are operating properly. He also mentioned including children with special needs in the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ competition.

It was decided at the meeting that the ‘Shishu Swargo’ (Children’s Heaven) project would be launched initially in 10 upazilas across 10 districts to ensure health and rehabilitation services for children with special needs. It was also announced that this initiative would commence soon.

Among those present at the meeting were State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. M.A. Muhith; State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Yaser Khan Chowdhury; State Minister for Social Welfare, Farzana Sharmin Putul; State Minister for Planning, Junaid Saki; State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, Bobby Hajjaj; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, A.B.M. Abdus Sattar; and secretaries from relevant ministries. Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder of the Bangladesh Disabled Welfare Association, also attended the meeting.