In order to protect the social rights of the people with disabilities, it is necessary to raise public awareness among the healthy and normal people and change the negative attitude of the society towards them. These citizens with disabilities have many complaints because they do not want to be the only beneficiaries. They want the government to provide them with all kinds of assistance and necessary facilities to develop them as active citizens and transform them into skilled manpower. Although the constitution speaks of equal rights for every citizen of the country but the people with disabilities are being neglected in one way or another are being deprived of their due rights.
Organization for Disabled Improvement and Rights(ODIR), a non-governmental voluntary organization based in Dhaka, has been working in the field for people with disabilities for a long time. The school for the disabled is run under this organization. The principal of the school, Shakil Azad Monon, said that they are struggling to continue the normal activities of the school for the disabled but due to lack of infrastructural support and inadequate grants the can’t run this school smoothly. He further added that during the crucial period of Covid-19, their financial difficulties have doubled. He appealed to the government, people’s representatives, conscious civil society, wealthy individuals and people from all walks of life to come forward for the welfare of people with disabilities.
On the 26th International and 21st National Disability Day 2019, Kohinoor Azad Moly, the Honourable Chairman of ODIR Bangladesh, received the Crest of Honor from the Hon’ble Prime Minister as a successful organization and person working for the development of disability. Shakil Azad Monon, Founder Secretary General and Principal of ODIR Bangladesh, received a special Crest and Certificate of Honor for “ODIR” as the best organization working for the disabled in 2019 at the festival organized by Jatiya Shishu Academy. ODIR Bangladesh has been receiving special honors and certificates every year since 2016 as a successful participant in the Uttaran Mela and as a successful participant in handicraft exhibitions and cultural programs made by students with disabilities.
Kohinoor Azad Moly, Chairman of ODIR, and Shakil Azad Monon, Founder Secretary General, also received special honors and certificates from various governmental and non-governmental organizations and training institutes for their contribution in the field of special education and for the welfare of persons with disabilities.
Shakil Azad Monon, Founder Secretary General of ODIR Bangladesh said, ‘ODIR School for the Disabled is working tirelessly with the aim of protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, raising social awareness about disability and ensuring overall improvement of persons with disabilities. It is very important to come forward with a spirit of empathy and cooperation towards these physically challenged people.’
A person with a disability should not be considered weak, they deserve respect and love from everyone in the society. So let’s be more aware and responsible towards people with disabilities and not neglect them.
Writer: Md. Mekail Ahmed and Md. Imtiaz Sultan
Volunteer, ODIR Bangladesh
