Speakers at a seminar titled, ‘Employment for Persons with Neurodevelopment Disabilities in Tourism & Hospitality Sector’ on Saturday have said there is a huge scope to engage the persons with neurodevelopment disabilities in the country’s tourism and hospitality sector. According to a report of this newspaper on Monday, the government is committed to ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities into the workforce. About 10 percent of the total population of Bangladesh are victims of physical and mental disability somehow or other. Disability is not a curse and the people suffering from this malady are not burden on their families, society or the state if they are groomed up as productive force.

Disabled boys or girls taking part in examinations make newspaper headlines very often. Those who have no hands are seen writing with the help of legs. Even some are seen writing answer scripts putting pens within their mouths. This indicates that there is no dearth of efforts on the part of the disabled people to overcome their disability. The disabled people will have to be brought under the mainstream population.   Through proper education and rigorous training the disabled people can be made skilled productive force.

They can earn for themselves, for their families and can also contribute to the development of the country. In this way, they can live with dignity and not as objects of pity.  In this age of globalization, Information Technology can do miracle for the people with disability.   

     Tourism and hospitality sector is an ideal place for jobs for persons with disability. Since their movements are restricted they can discharge their responsibilities at residential hotels and resorts. They can even perform their jobs sitting in wheel chairs. In this way they can relive their parents and guardians of the burdens. The disabled people need proper infrastructural support. Government can provide it. The many NGOs of the country can also come forward in the aid of the disabled ones. Disabled people should get some special privilege in public and private transports. They should also be treated with humility at government offices.

The families of the persons with disabilities must be conscious in this regard. Proper medical care, financial, familial, social and psychological support can rejuvenate the dampening spirit of a disabled person. Creation of better awareness of the potential for disability inclusion in the tourism and hospitality sector and to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are also of vital importance.