KARACHI:More than one billion people, including nearly 93 million children, are living with some form of disability around the world. The persons with disabilities experience inequalities in their daily lives and have fewer opportunities to access a quality education that takes place in an inclusive environment.
The people with disabilities should be given special education and training, and with some extra care these persons could become effective for the society.
These views were expressed by the experts during a day-long national conference on new paradigms of research in special education. The event was organized by Department of Special Education, University of Karachi and held at Arts Auditorium, KU, on Wednesday.
They observed that society’s misperception of different forms and types of disability and the limited capacity of social actors to accommodate special needs often place people with disabilities on the margin.
The Director, Special Education, Balochistan, Juma Khan Durrani, expressed that rehabilitating persons with disabilities in medical, educational, vocational and psycho-social areas is need of the hour. He informed that a large number of persons with disabilities are out of schools and segregated from the society.
The Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation, Professor Shahid Ahmed Memon, observed that conferences on such issues provide opportunities to learn beyond the classroom a natural process of education communication and promotion of interest amongst the students and trainees about the practical role of special education.
The other speakers at the conference urged that government should increase the quantity and quality of bachelor’s and master’s level of professionals in special. They asked to develop model demonstration education program that offer research, training and service opportunities working with individuals with disabilities.
They also asked to develop innovative centers for people with disabilities which can serve at national level and development of a special education teacher licensing system.