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Handicapped persons who cannot lead a normal life because of physical, mental or intellectual retardation caused by problems during pregnancy, at birth, or after birth. The handicapped are divided into four categories: (a) visually handicapped, (b) hearing and speaking impaired (c) physically disabled, and (d) mentally handicapped. According to WHO, 10 percent people of Bangladesh are handicapped, that is, about 12 million people.
Western countries have taken considerable steps in the
last half century for the welfare of the handicapped. The Indian subcontinent
has been far slower in doing so. In pre-partition India, the handicapped
stayed at home under the care of the family. Those without a caring home
used to be housed in orphanages. A few organisations were set up in East
Pakistan at government initiative for the care of those with sight and
hearing problems in the 50's and 60's. Many people were severely wounded
in the war
of liberation in
1971 and suffered various forms of physical disability. It was for their
treatment and care that a hospital for the disabled was established in
dhaka
by the government.
Later a non-government society was set up for the welfare and
education of mentally handicapped people. With the help of a few
social workers, psychologists and parents, the society began its
welfare activities first in Dhaka and then in chittagong
and rajshahi.
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The handicapped at work,
Dhaka |
In due course some more effective steps were taken in
this respect by social workers, psychologists and parents and also by
the government. A number of organisations were set up in this field, especially
under the Ministry of Social Welfare. These organisations provide education
and rehabilitation. For better coordination of all these activities, a
National Forum for the Handicapped was set up, and in November 1995, a
national policy for the handicapped was approved by the government.
About 50 organisations are now working for the welfare
of the handicapped. The Society for the Welfare and Education of the Mentally
Retarded has been working in this field through its 37 branches all over
the country. The Bangladesh Foundation for the Handicapped has been working
since 1984. There are a number of other organisations active in the field:
The Savar Rehabilitation Centre for the Paralysed (CRP), Tongi Braille
Press and Artificial Limb Production Centre (BPALC), Chittagong Leprosy
Control Project (CLCP), Dhaka Zakir White Cane Works, Nilphamari Danish
Bangladesh Leprosy Mission (DBLM), Tongi Artificial Limb Production Unit
(ALPU) and Dhaka Inter Life Bangladesh Disability Programme (ILBDP). The
activities of these organisations are financed by personal and institutional
donations from home and abroad. In 1991 the government set up a National
Centre for Special Education at Mirpur. This centre has facilities for
educating different categories of handicapped children. It has hostel
and residential accommodation for students and teachers and facilities
for teacher training. In 1993 a Special Education Department was opened
at the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University, to prepare
teachers to teach students with special needs.
The United Nations and some of its agencies have been working for the handicapped. On 3 December 1982 the UN General Assembly adopted a world programme for the handicapped, and this has since been approved by all member states. It was under this programme that the UN observed the Decade of the Handicapped from 1983 to 1992. During the decade, world attention was focused in all countries, especially developing countries, on the need for international cooperation to raise the standard of living of all children. The UN also sponsored standard rules for the handicapped. Bangladesh as a member state is also committed to the welfare of the handicapped and has signed the United Nations Charter of Children's Rights which enjoins upon all countries to take adequate steps for education, health and rehabilitation of the handicapped.
Programmes initiated by the UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO and other
international organisations to make the world community aware of the problems
of the handicapped are also observed in Bangladesh. Bangladesh, for example,
observes the International Day for the Handicapped. The initiatives taken
by international social welfare organisations have also helped in promoting
services in this field.
[Kalpana Roy]
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