Materials : Country
Paper :Pakistan Country
Report
ASIAN AND PACIFIC DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS,
2003-2012
BIWAKO MILLENNIUM FRAME WORK
PROGRESS ON THE MID OF THE DECADE
Introduction
In May 2002, United National Economic Social Commission for Asian
& Pacific (ESCAP) adopted the resolution, promoting an inclusive,
Barrier Free and Rights Based Society for people with disabilities
in the Asian and Pacific region in the twenty first century. The
resolution also proclaimed the extension of the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, for another decade,
2003-2012.
2. In October, 2002 Governments at the High level
intergovernmental meeting to conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons 1993-2002, adopted the "Biwako Millennium Frame
work for Action Towards an Inclusive Barrier Free and Rights Based
Society for Persons With Disabilities", as the regional guidline for
the new decade defining seven priority areas for action, the
targets, strategies and time frame.
PROGRESS ON THE BIWAKO MILLENNIUM FRAME WORK
FOR 2003-2008 IN RESPECT OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
OF PAKISTAN
A. SELF HELP ORGANIZATIONS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND
RELATED FAMINALY AND PARENT ASSOCIATIONS
Achievements
Self-help organizations of persons with visually impaired and
hearing impaired have been established in Pakistan since long.
Pakistan Association of the Blind and National Association of the
Blinds have been playing very active role for education and welfare
of the blind community. Presently following prominent self help
organizations are playing, their role for betterment of the persons
with disabilities.
Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness, Pakistan Association of
the Blind (District level), National Federation of the Blind,
Pakistan Deaf Association, Milestone (Organizations of Physically
Disabled) Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP).
Self help organizations are fully involved in all policy making
processes relating to disabilities. National Policy for Persons with
Disabilities and National Plan of Action for Persons with
Disabilities and draft Accessibility Act were formulated in
consultation with the various self-help organizations.
B. WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
Achievements
Article 25(2) of Islamic Republic of Pakistan categorically
speaks out that "there shall be no discrimination on the basis of
sex. para (3) of the said article has a provision for making special
provision for the protection of women and children. All the
institutions of disabled are equally accessible for women with
disabilities.
Women with disabilities not only have representation in all the
organizations of disabled, they are very much active for the
promotion of empowerment of persons with disabilities. However women
with disabilities in the rural areas have not access to such
organizations. National Plan of Action has suggested to facilitate
establishment of a mechanism at the Regional, National and
sub-regional level to disseminate relevant gender related
information among women with disabilities.
C. EARLY DETECTION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION
Achievements
Educational and vocational training facilities for children with
disabilities are available only in urban areas and disabled children
have access to free education but disabled living in rural areas
have no access to facilities of education and training. Facilities
of early detection and assessment of disabilities are not available
in rural areas. The targets defined in the BMF are difficult to
achieve, however National Plan of Action for implementation of
National Policy for the Persons with Disabilities 2002 has suggested
specific steps to be taken by the Ministry of Health for early
detection and management of disabilities.
Presently at federal level 75, provincial level 180 and NGO level
150 institutions are in operation for the education and training of
disabled where services of assessment, management and education of
disabilities are available.
D. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING SELF EMPLOYMENT
Achievements
n order to formulate policies for employment and rehabilitation
of disabled, National Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled (NCRDP)
was established under the "Employment and Rehabilitation of Disabled
Act", promulgated on May, 1981. Under this act 1% quota has been
reserved for disabled in each establishment having one hundred or
more employees. This quota has been enhanced to 2%.
National Policy for Persons with Disabilities while recognizing
the needs of job oriented vocational training for Persons with
Disabilities has emphasized on utilization of over 100 training
institutes established under training system by keeping provision of
5% seats for persons with disabilities in each vocational training
unit.
A project, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled
Persons (VREDP), for National programme of rehabilitation assistance
to enhance economic and social functioning of disabled persons
through mobilization of community in more cost effect ways through
community participation
Registration of disabled persons = 4742
Placement on training = 1645
Income Generation = 1175
CBR training to NGOs = 24
E. ACCESS TO BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Achievements
To develop a barrier free physical environment, and provide
purpose built facilities, a survey of infrastructures and facilities
for persons with disabilities available in public and private sector
was conducted in 2005. The data collected was compiled for future
planning based on ground realities and requirements. Furthermore as
follow-up of Cabinet Decision to provide facilities in public
buildings, parks and public places, design manual and building
bye-laws-2006 have also been prepared for designers and implementing
authorities. Necessary instructions to all line Ministries,
Provinces, ERRA and Executing Agencies were issued to ensure
provision of facilities for challenged people in all new projects
and make required modifications in existing infrastructure and
buildings and amend bye-laws of executing agencies. Subsequently the
Prime Minister was also pleased to direct all concerned to ensure
faithful implementation of the Cabinet Decision.
Public transport is still a barrier for Persons with
Disabilities. No progress on this issue has been possible however
government is committed to address the issue through advocacy.
F. ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES.
Achievements
Children with visual impairment are provided education in all
Federal, Provincial and Private Institutions through standard
Braille System. Text book as well as other literature in Braille is
available in the country. Three Braille Press are functioning in the
country for this purpose. Talking books are also available in the
country. For hearing impaired people, National Institute of Special
Education (NISE) has developed a standardized Pakistani Sign
Language which is popular in the deaf community and is also used as
medium of instruction in schools/centres in the context of total
communication.
In urban areas internet facilities are available easily for every
person. Federal Government has introduced computer literacy
programme in all Special Education Centres. However Persons with
Disabilities in rural areas still have little access to information
and communication technology.
G. POVERTY ALLEVIATION THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD
PROGRAMMES
Achievements
Little work has been done in this area however Federal line
Ministries and Provincial and District Governments has been asked to
include immediately as a major target group, Persons with
Disabilities in their poverty alleviation programme in order to
achieve the millennium development goals.
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