The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked around the world annually on 3 December, as per General Assembly of United Nations. This year the theme of the day is Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment of People of all Abilities. 10% of the total population of our country is persons with disabilities. They are ensured equal rights and dignity as per the Constitution but the reality is different. To ensure their inclusion and empowerment in all sectors it is important to ensure their access in all places. But the fact is their accessibility is not ensured in the plans. It is high time to make every place including educational institutions, hospitals, work places, shopping malls, playgrounds and parks, accessible for all. Speakers mentioned such in a human chain, organized by Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, today on 3rd December 2015, to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Speakers said, though article 34 of Persons with Disabilities Rights and Protection Act, 2013 talks about ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities, there is no reflection in the reality. Their needs are focused neither in plans nor in infrastructures. They are facing problems in all sectors including road crossing. Zebra crossing is user friendly for the persons with disabilities but footover bridges are given priority while planning and building infrastructures. There are quotas for persons with disabilities in transport and educational institutions but they are not getting those facilities because of absence of accessibility.

If a city is safe for the persons with disabilities then it is safe for all. Government has adopted Disabilities Rights and Protection Act 2013, which tends to ensure their rights and welfare. But the Act will not be fruitful unless accessibility is ensured. 

Demands from the human chain: to prioritize persons with disabilities and pedestrians in transport related policy, laws, plans, projects and budgets; ensure wide footpaths with tectiles for persons with disabilities by eye sight and ramp in footpaths for wheel chair users; providing zebra crossing instead of footover bridge, signal, signs and sound system for road crossing.   

Humayun Kabir, joint Secretary Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and coordinator, Green Voice; Talukder Rifat Pasha, Shamimjahan, Biswajit Biswas, Atiqur Rahman, Naima Akter, Sharmin Akter Rini, Fahmida Islam, Ayesha Arafat Ikra, Shuvo Kormokar and many more were present in the human chain. The human chain was moderated by Ziaur Rahman Litu, Senior Project Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust.