Three-day Int'l Conference for disable persons begins

ISLAMABAD: A three-day international leadership conference for persons with disability inaugurated here on Monday to address grievances of these people and draw a framework for increasing their social inclusion in all spheres of life.

The conference is organized by Special Talent Exchange Program in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various non-government organization, British Council and others.

Around 150 leaders of organizations working on issued related to persons with disabilities from Pakistan as well as dignitaries form South Korea, India, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Thailand are attending the conference.

President STEP, Muhammad Atif Sheikh presenting welcome address on the occasion said the conference would prove instrumental infuturing the rights of persons with disabilities in the country.

Addressing the inaugural session Shafiq-ur-Rehman, a representative of miles stones said they believe that every one is perfect. He said disabilities are outside human bodies not inside human bodies. He maintained that disability may prevail in environment, approach or system which cripple the abilities of those people who have any disability.

He informed that Americans initiated the current movement for persons with disabilities, adding, "Americans have a great share in this struggle".

The movement in Pakistan, Shafiq said, is influenced by Japan Disability Movement. He further said that the movement got momentum in the country gradually and from 2002 to 2007 a number of seminars were commenced to create awareness regarding rights of such people. (APP)