World Autism Awareness Day today
Work for welfare of autistic people
Urge president, prime minister
BSS
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all local and foreign organisations, civil society and affluent people of society to come forward for the welfare of autistic people, reports BSS. They made the call in separate messages marking the 9th World Autism Awareness Day to be observed in the country as elsewhere in the globe today. The President and the Prime Minister wished all success of the programmes of the Day.
In his message, the President said the government has undertaken various programmes for overall development of autistic people. The autistic children are our children, he said and called for grooming up them with care and love and train them to become skilled manpower. Employment can enhance dignity of a person in society and the autistic persons are not out of this, he said and suggested giving priority to the employment of autistic people to develop a happy and prosperous country.
In her message, the Prime Minister greeted all adults, children and adolescents suffering from autism and other physical disabilities in the country as elsewhere across the world on the occasion.
The government has implemented extensive programmes in the last seven years to bring people with special features to the mainstream of development, she said and referred to stipend in education, quota in government jobs, setting up special schools, training and service centers.
Once there was a negative notion about autistic children in society, which has changed due to the governments timely programmes, the Prime Minister said.
Referring to the countrys success in addressing autism issue, she said that Global Autism Public Health Initiative in Bangladesh National Adviser Saima Wazed Putul received Excellence in Public Health Award of World Health Organization. The Prime Minister said the autistic children can bring possibilities for the country, if they are reared with love and affection.
Meanwhile, Different public organisations including the Ministry of Social Welfare, Social Welfare Department, National Disability Development Foundation, National Disability Forum, socio-cultural bodies and non-government organisations have drawn up elaborate programmes to observe the Day.
