Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today said there is need to increase awareness of disability issues in the society and promote inclusion of people with disability into the mainstream. He said a lot still needs to be done for the welfare of the disabled.The Minister said this while speaking as the Chief Guest at ‘Spinal Injury Awareness Day’ organized by the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), here today.Appreciating the contribution of VMS towards the cause of rehabilitation of people with disabilities, especially impairments due to spinal cord injury, the Minister said that VMS is doing a commendable job for the rehabilitation of the people with such injuries, adding that more such centres are required in the State to raise awareness and understanding of spinal cord injury. Assuring that he will act as an extension of the institution to pilot such issues in the Government, Akhtar said that more is required to be done for the people with special needs in the society, adding that spreading awareness about the causes of such disabilities is one of the most important components of such an effort. He said people especially the youth, need to be made aware so that various avoidable accidents do not happen.
The Minister said there is need to take preventive and remedial measures and to develop immediate response system in the State to provide critical and timely management in cases like spinal cord injuries.In the Education Department, awareness and awakening programme shall be developed for children, the Minister said and added that he would also like the educational institutions to be involved in such initiatives. He said that students from schools and Colleges shall also be brought to this centre so that they develop sensitivity towards people with special needs.The Minister said that it will be ensured that all new buildings in the education sector have facilitates like ramps that cater to the needs of people with disability, adding that such parameters will also be included at the time of giving recognition to private institutions.Earlier, President VMS , Dr. Mir Mohammad Maqbool and Vice President, Khurshid Ahmad Malik also spoke on the occasion and gave an overview of the facilities like rehabilitation centres, computer lab, Special School, vocational therapy etc, being provided and the achievements of the institution.