Discard ‘negative mindset' about disabled people: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today renewed her government's determination to build a disparity-less society and urged the people to discard their "negative mindset" about the persons with disabilities.

"We were taught from childhood that don't call the blinds as blinds and the crippled as crippled. This teachings will have to be given to the children (from their childhood) because they (disabled) are all human beings and they'll move together (with us) -- it's the biggest word," she said.

Sheikh Hasina added: "We've to change our negative outlook about the persons with disabilities."

The prime minister said this while addressing as the chief guest the inaugural function of the 28th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the 21st National Day of Persons with Disabilities-2019 at Jatiya Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation at Mirpur in the capital this morning.

Through the function, jointly organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Jatiya Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation, she opened the newly-constructed Jatiya Protibondhi Unnayan Complex - named 'Subarna Bhaban'.

The premier said her government wants to establish a disparity-less society in the country by fulfilling all basic needs for all.

"Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the country's independence ... our aim is that all people of this independent country will live with equal rights and we're working with this goal," she said.

Mentioning that autism or disability is not a disease or sickness, Sheikh Hasina said her government is making strides so that those suffering from autism and disabilities can live together with the mainstream people of the society.

"We know that it's a huge painful matter for the parents whose children are suffering from such disabilities and we've taken various initiatives and programmes to remove their these miseries," she said.

Highlighting the country's tremendous socioeconomic development, the premier said her government gives importance to the disabled people in this uplift.

"We want the country's development and we give importance to the persons with disabilities so that that they don't remain behind this uplift," she added.