Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called upon the people of all classes and professions, including the corporate sector and affluent section of society, to come forward to ensure the development of people with disabilities and their employment.

"There’re various types of hidden talents among persons with disabilities, we have to give them the opportunity to demonstrate those," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a function marking the 25th International and 18th National Day for the Persons with Disabilities at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

It is the duty of the government to create opportunities for flourishing their talents and respectable positions for them and give them a better place for living.

"And we’re giving the utmost importance to the development of the challenged people as they’re our kith and kin and our children," she said.

The Prime Minister mentioned some names of scientists, novelists, composers and writers who have disabilities but their disabilities could make any hindrance to their development. "People with autism and disabilities in the country also have enormous potential and we’ll have to give them the scope to flourish those." 

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry Dr Mozammel Hossain and President of National Forum of Disabled Persons Rajib Ali Khan spoke at the programme.

State Minister for Social Welfare Ministry Nuruzzman Ahmed presided over the programme while acting secretary of the ministry M Jillar Rahman delivered the welcome address.

The Prime Minister also distributed crests and certificates among the individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to the society.

Later, the Prime Minister enjoyed a cultural programme participated by physically- and mentally-challenged children.

She said disability is part of human diversity and the disabled children and the people are the integral part of the family and society, and national development is not possible by excluding them.

Hasina said the government for the first time introduced quota system in the government services for people with disabilities and ensured 1percent quota in BCS and 10 percent in third and fourth class jobs.

The government is providing allowances Tk 600 to 7.5 lakh challenged poor during the current fiscal, she added.Sheikh Hasina said the Rights and Protection of Disabled People Act 2013 and The Protection of Neuron Developmental Disabled Trust Act 2013 were enacted.

She said the government has ratified the UN Disabled Rights Charter and its optional protocol, paving the path for establishing the equal rights of autistic people.

The government under its integrated education program introduced residential education free of cost for 640 blind people in 64 districts across the country, she added.Hasina mentioned that there are 10,000 autistic and people with NDD characteristics in 62 schools run by the government across the country.The Prime Minister said under A2I program ICT training course was introduced in 6 learning centers for the blind people.  

She said her government has already established 103 services and help centers for the people with disabilities in all districts and in some upazilas under the management of the Social Welfare Ministry. About 5 lakh autistic and challenged people are getting therapy services, counseling, and related materials from these centers.

Earlier, she also inaugurated a fair of products and goods made by autistic people and organised by Dhaka North City Corporation through a videoconference, and called upon people to buy and use products made by physically-challenged people.