‘Disability is not a burden’
Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Thursday said the government was taking active initiatives to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities, urging society to recognise them as assets rather than burdens.
“The government is actively working to improve their quality of life,” he said at an event marking World White Cane Safety Day 2026 in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Zahid said supporting marginalised groups was the state’s responsibility and the present government was working in a coordinated manner to fulfil that obligation.
He stressed the need for greater social awareness, saying persons with disabilities still did not receive the respect and empathy they deserved.
“A change in our mindset must permeate all levels of society,” he said.
The National Foundation for the Development of Disabled Persons (NFDDP) organised the event at its office premises, featuring a street march by white cane users and an award-giving ceremony for meritorious visually impaired individuals.
A physician by background, Zahid said persons with disabilities, including children with visual impairments, often possessed exceptional intellectual abilities.
This year’s World White Cane Safety Day was observed under the theme “Where vision is limited, possibilities are limitless”, which the minister described as highly appropriate.
He said the government was committed to making education, skills development and rehabilitation initiatives for children with special needs more visible and sustainable.
The minister also called for infrastructure development, particularly in urban areas, to take the needs of persons with disabilities into account.
He stressed the importance of installing ramps in large buildings and shopping malls and ensuring better accessibility for persons with disabilities on public transport.
Zahid urged drivers and transport assistants to treat persons with disabilities sensitively and called on the public to extend empathy and support.
“While we have yet to achieve significant, visible results, we have a long way to go. We believe that if you grant us time, we will bring about positive change across all sectors of this country,” he said.
The minister distributed special grant cheques to 110 visually impaired children at the event. A group of visually impaired children later performed music, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf presided over the event. Social Welfare Council Executive Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Dulal attended as a special guest, while Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization Vice-President Md Jahangir Alam presented the keynote paper.
