Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Friday stressed an inclusive approach towards Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all walks of life, especially those who need education, to assist them in making active members of society.
He said that except for a few mental issues, the system should accommodate the differently-abled children in regular schools and provide tailor-made employment opportunities to them in accordance with their skills.
Addressing the Fifth Cerebral Palsy Conference here in Islamabad, the president said that mentally and physically challenged children required care and empathy from society and also its readiness to accept them normally.
He said the persons with physical, visual, and hearing impairment had the same intellectual capacity as other people and thus required support from society to assist them to function better.
Positive approach to raise awareness
The president stressed the need to raise awareness in society to be sympathetic toward PWDs.
He regretted that children with cerebral palsy are often stereotyped and called for shunning taboos affiliated with them.
He mentioned that First Lady Samina Alvi, through awareness campaigns, put her best efforts into highlighting the cause of persons with a disability besides stressing facilities for them in public places.
