3. Current Situation of Persons with Disabilities

3.1 Definition and Classification

Definitions and classifications of PWDs according to the Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, are as follows:

Disability means the lack of ability to perform an activity in a manner, which is considered to be normal.

Major Types of Disabilities:

• Blindness
• Hearing Impairment
• Locomotors Disability
• Mental Retardation
• Cerebral Palsy

Blindness refers to a condition where a person suffers from any of the following conditions, namely:

• Total absence of sight
• Visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen) in the better eye with correcting lenses
• Limitation of the field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degrees or worse
• "Low Vision" means impairment of visual function even after treatment of standard refractive correction but who uses or is potentially capable of using vision for the planning or execution of a task with appropriate assistive device.

Hearing Impairment means loss of sixty decibels or more in the better ear in the conversational range of frequencies.

Locomotors Disability means disability of the bones, joints or muscles leading to substantial restriction of the movement of the limbs or any form of cerebral palsy.

Mental Retardation means a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind of a person which is specially characterized by sub normality and intelligence.

Cerebral Palsy means a group of non-progressive conditions of a person characterized by abnormal motor control posture resulting from brain insult or injuries occurring in the pre-natal, natal or infant period of development.

3.2 Government Policy and National Plan towards Persons with Disabilities

Pakistan is a signatory to the Proclamation on the Full Participation of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. A national policy for persons with disabilities was formalized after a lengthy process involving relevant Federal Government Ministries, including Education, Health, Labour and Manpower, Housing and Works, Science and Technology and Planning and Development. Provincial social welfare and education departments and NGOs were also consulted in finalizing the national plan. The first draft was prepared by a Task Force on Disability, which was created in 2000. The following highlights the vision, goal and mission statement of the national policy

Vision

The overall vision of the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in keeping with our Islamic way of life, is to provide by 2025 an environment that would allow full realization of the potential of persons with disabilities through their inclusive mainstreaming and providing them full support of the government, private sector and civil society.

Goal

Empowerment of persons with disabilities, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender or other consideration for the realization of their full potential in all spheres of life, specially social, economic, personal and political.

Mission Statement

Optimal development of persons with disabilities for the realization of their full potential in all walks of life, specially in the areas of health, education, social, economic and vocational needs, for the fulfillment of their present as well as future requirements.

Guiding Principles

• The Constitution guarantees and accession to international instruments on human rights, as the reiteration of the Islamic principals of justice and equality.
• Non-discrimination and gender equity at all levels
• Holistic approach in the overall interest of Persons with Disabilities covering all aspects of their lives in the community
• The rights-based approach rather than welfare concepts in program planning and implementation
• Active collaboration from all stakeholders, government, private sector and civil society.

Aims and Objectives

To persons with disabilities:

1. Provide access to facilities which may lead to their integration and mainstreaming in all spheres of life
2. Ensure they are involved in planning and implementing educational, training and rehabilitation programs for themselves, their families and communities
3. Ensure that they are able to enjoy their rights and opportunities as other citizens do
4. Ensure that they have equal opportunities and access to medical, education, social, psychological, vocational training, employment and rehabilitation, without any discrimination
5. Ensure that the legislation relating to employment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities is adequately formulated and is strictly enforced
6. Expand service infrastructure which is adequate to accommodate and cover all persons with disabilities both in urban and rural areas
7. Harness modern technology, tools and skills to streamline national policy, planning, programming and service delivery for effective redressal of disabilities
8. Remove financial and technical constraints posing hindrance in the way of proper implementation of programs

Strategies

• Develop and launch advocacy campaigns to address special groups, such as policy makers, opinion leaders, youth and adolescents
• Increase ownership of disability issues by the stakeholders and strengthen their participation in the process of service delivery and program design
• Adopt a shift from exclusive system of education to that to inclusive education for the children with disabilities
• Ensure the provision of quality services to all segments of age groups for persons with disabilities in Pakistan
• Build strong partnerships with concerned Line Ministries, Provincial Line Departments and the Private Sector, by providing assistance / guidance through advocacy, training, monitoring and other means of participation and quality assurance
• Decentralize program management and service delivery to provincial and district level
• Ensure training and education of parents and communities to recognize special needs of persons with disabilities

3.3 Government System

The National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons

In 1981, the Government promulgated an ordinance titled Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981. The ordinance provides for the establishment of a national council which has been mandated to perform the following:

• To formulate policy for the employment, rehabilitation and welfare of the disabled persons
• To evaluate, assess and coordinate the execution of its policy by the Provincial Councils
• To have overall responsibility for achieving the purposes of the ordinance

Under the ordinance, a 1% employment quota for disabled persons has been established for all establishments employing 100 or more people. In lieu of employment, the employer has to credit a specified amount each month to the Council's fund. Since its inception, the Council has made it possible to provide employment to over 7,478 disabled persons in the public sector and over 10,457 in the private sector. Financial contributions made by employers, has enabled the council to provide financial assistance to such disabled persons as are unable to undertake employment due to infirmity, age or other reasons. As part of rehabilitation measures, the Council is able to provide artificial limbs, surgical therapy and medical treatment to persons with disabilities.

The Council has provided vocational training to over 6,000 people with disabilities whereas financial assistance for self employment has been provided to over 7,000 individuals. Artificial limbs, wheel chairs and other supporting aids have been made available to over 7,500 people with disabilities.

Ministry of Women's Development Social Welfare and Special Education

National coordination in Pakistan is carried out through a dual system at both the National and Provincial levels. At the Federal level the Directorate General of Special Education is the executing agency of the Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education is responsible for coordination with all relevant national and international organizations in the areas of education, care, training and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Figure 3 highlights the organizational structure of the Ministry.

Directorate General Special Education

The Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) was established in 1985 as an attached Department of the Ministry of Women's Development Social Welfare and Special Education with the following Charter of duties:

• To formulate a coordinated National Policy for people with disabilities
• To organize census of people with disabilities
• To establish special education centers all over the country
• To train manpower pertaining to special education
• To provide medical and para-medical support to disabled persons
• To provide specialized aids and equipment for the use of the disabled
• To provide vocational training
• To create and provide job opportunities for the disabled population
• To provide legislative support for people with disabilities

The DGSE operates a network of 45 Special Education Centers catering to the educational needs of children with disabilities. The centers are located throughout the country. The DGSE has also established certain institutions which are engaged in supplementing its efforts for the cause of persons with disabilities.

Additionally, the DGSE has initiated a five year program of technical and financial assistance whereby the Punjab University and the University of Karachi were to establish Departments of Special Education. The Allama Iqbal Open University, in Islamabad began offering a degree course leading to a Masters of Education in Special Education based on its own initiative.

National Institute of Special Education (NISE)

The National Institute of Special Education is located in Islamabad and was established in 1986 for the purpose of developing specialized training courses for teachers of Government and Non-Government institutions. Special courses are also offered to parents and community leaders. The Institute has successfully met the needs of both pre-service and in-service teachers serving the special education system. Along with its own faculty, the Institute secures the services of psychologists, pediatrics, social workers and physiotherapists as resource persons to provide specialized knowledge and skills to trainee teachers.

Apart from capacity building, the Institute develops and publishes syllabus/ guidelines for children with disabilities and provides material for the guidance and support of teachers and parents. The Institute is responsible for preparation of co-trainers in sign language and mobility. It also acts as the Board of Examination for conducting annual examination of Class V students enrolled in Federally managed special education centers.

National Library and Resource Center

The Government has funded the establishment of a library and resource center attached with the National Institute of Special Education. The library feeds the participants of courses and also provides current literature to special education institutions in the public and private sector.

The Library offers Content Page Services, which provides the latest teaching techniques available in books and journals which are transmitted to special education institutions. The Library has compiled six study guides on different disabilities covering all aspects of children with disabilities. The material is used to assist newly inducted teachers and general library users to acquaint themselves with the basics of the types of disabilities.

The Library has prepared 20 manuals on different topics of special education downloaded from the internet. The manuals are available for use in institutions in both the public and private sector. Apart from approximately 10,000 books on special education, the Library has also begun to build its audio and video section on all categories of disabilities.

National Training Centers for Special Persons

Five National Training Centers are located in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. The Centers provide vocational training to the moderate to severely handicapped persons. Some of the training provided, particularly to the age group 15-25, include, computer operation, typing, knitting, tailoring, radio and TV repairs, air conditions and refrigeration, welding, bamboo craft and machine shop.

National Trust for the Disabled (NISE)

The National Trust was established in 1987 under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890, as an independent and autonomous body and is administered by a Board of Governors with the President of Pakistan as its Chairperson. The Trust has the following objectives:

• To establish model institutions for the care, education and rehabilitation of the disabled
• To prescribe and undertake specialized programs of training and instructions for the disabled
• To conduct research about the nature and extent of problems of the disabled
• To arrange financial assistance and advisory services for individuals/families
• To deal with and enter into agreements with national and international organizations in the field of special education

The Trust has established three multi-purpose special education institutions in Karachi, Nausherhro Feroz and Mianwali. These institutions are located in rural and slum urban areas and provide services of early identification, treatment, education, pre-vocational and vocational training and rehabilitation to persons with disabilities.

The Trust also administers the Portage Parent Program which is meant to reinforce and enhance the parenting skills enabling family members to take care of the special needs of children with developmental delays.

The Ministry of Health

The National Institution for the Handicapped

The National Institution for the Handicapped is a hospital located in Islamabad with facilities to provide diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services to patients referred to the hospital from all over the country. The Hospital is operated by the Ministry of Health and is equipped with MRI, CT scanners and Ultra Sound equipment along with a Pathology lab.

Medical services include Orthopedic and Pediatric surgery, biometry and laser therapy. In addition to providing general physiotherapy, the hospital is also equipped to provide electrotherapy and hydrotherapy. It houses a speech and language therapy department which provides a 15 month speech and language therapy diploma course. The hospital plans on establishing facilities for manufacturing Myo electric artificial limbs and assembly of hearing aids in the future.

3.4 Regional Cooperation

Pakistan is a signatory to the proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disability in the Asian and Pacific Region. Pakistan has been actively participating in all regional conferences, seminars and meeting's held from time to time in member countries for evolving new trends and strategies to meet the needs and overall development of persons with disabilities.

Representatives from the Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education participated at the Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) Seminar for South-to-South Cooperation for Decades of People with Disabilities in December 2003, Bangkok Thailand.

3.5 Statistics Data

It has been acknowledged by the Government that the 1998 Census disability prevalence rate is low and does not represent the true extent of persons with disabilities in the country. Based on the Government's 6th Five year plan, the Government estimates that PWDs comprise approximately 4 to 6% of the total population. It has been stated that another national census will be conducted in 2008 whereby extensive questions about PWDs will be compiled. No other statistical data on PWDs was readily available from Governmental or non-governmental organizations.

3.6 Law and Legislation

The Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation Ordinance of 1981 was based on seminars and conferences held in connection with the observance of the International Year of the Disabled Persons in 1981.The main features of the legislation include a reservation of 1% quota of employment for persons with disabilities in all public and private sector establishments employing more than 100 persons. In cases where establishments do not employ persons with disabilities they are required to make remittances of Rs2,000 per month to the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund established under Section 17 of the Ordinance.

3.7 Social Services

There are no specific social service schemes for PWDs apart from those established as part of the Social Security System outlined in Section 1.5-National Social Welfare of this report. However, the Pakistan Bait ul Mal (PBM) was established in 1992 to provide necessities of life such as food stamps, clothing, education, financial aid, while establishing vocational training centers, Qarz-e-Hasna to establish businesses and medical relief for the poor, orphans, widows, disabled and the destitute. The PBM proposes to continue its activities as follows:

• Food Support Program
• Child Labour Centers
• Skill Development for Child Workers and Women
• Micro Credit Scheme
• Medical Cover
• Establishment of Welfare Homes

Additionally, Zakat is one of the five basic pillars of Islamic faith. In 1980 the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance was promulgated and enforced in order for the establishment of an Islamic Welfare state. The Zakat Ordiance mandates that 2.5% of the value of all declared, fixed financial assets (i.e. savings accounts/certificates and financial assets for fixed terms) for those possessing nisaab are to be automatically extracted at source by the state at the beginning of the month of Ramadan. The recipients of Zakat include both organizations and individuals, with 50% divided between a number of eligible social, health, education and religious institutions and the remainder directed to "Mustahqeen", or the needy individuals, identified by the local Zakat committees.

Zakat funds are distributed among Mustehqeen through 39,817 local Zakat Committees established at the grass roots level. Since its inception, the Zakat funds have largely been utilized for subsistence or "Guzara" allowance. Approximately 40% of Zakat funds are diverted towards a rehabilitation oriented program which includes 18% on Qarz-e-Hasna for education, 6% for health care, 8% for Deeni Madaris and 8% for rehabilitation grants. Funds for rehabilitation purposes enable the disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of the society to become self-reliant and productive members of the society. Appropriate representation is given to women in the Zakat administration fom Central Zakat Council down to the local Zakat Committees to enable Mustehqeen women to have access to Zakat funds.

3.8 Medical Services, Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices

Rehabilitation

A pilot project (the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled People) was established in 1992 in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United National Development Program (UNDP) to develop a cost effective model for the rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities through the tapping of resources available within the community. The project has successfully demonstrated that a national program of rehabilitation of disabled persons can be launched through the mobilization of community resources.

According to the MWDSW, the project has assisted 618 PWDs to become at the "Income Generation Level". While an additional 962 people are placed on skill training activities. Currently there are three service centers established in Karachi, Gyjrat and Islamabad.

The project involved local communities through its participative approach. During the initial years of the project, 57 civil society organizations in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi and Gurjrat collaborated in the rehabilitation program. The project was able to rehabilitate persons with disabilities through training which has resulted in income generating activities to support themselves and their dependent family members. The project continues to provide vocational training, provision of artificial limbs, training of volunteers and dissemination of information.

Assistive Devices

Use of assistive devices imported into Pakistan as well as locally fabricated units are being encouraged in all special education institutions in both the private and public sectors. Wheelchairs, crutches, low vision aids and hearing aids are provided for facilitation of students with disabilities. In the private sector there are NGOs who produce assistive devices like wheelchairs, artificial limbs, hearing aids and low vision aids for local consumption. The National Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons and the National Trust for the Disabled and other philanthropic organizations provide assistive devices for free or give PWDs financial assistance to procure devices from the local market.

3.9 Community Based Rehabilitation

Portage Parent Program or as it is generally known as "Portage Guide to Early Education" is meant to reinforce and enhances the parenting skills and empowers the family members to make them able to take care of the special needs of children with developmental delays. The program was designed to utilize the Portage home based model to assist special need children in rural areas who are not attending special schools. Field workers travel out to rural communities and asses children along with the community teacher and parents in order to develop educational plans for children based on the Portage Home Based Program. Family involvement is a key to the success of the program.

Through a two year research project funded by UNICEF during 1991-92 developed the Pakistan model of the community based program, which has since been replicated in various cities throughout Pakistan through several training workshops of Program Managers.

3.10 Independent Living Movement

A representative from the Milestone Society for the Special Persons organization attended the 3rd Duskin Leadership Training Program in Japan during the 2001-2002 year. The leadership training program provided training in independent living with the Mainstream Association of Japan.

As a result of the participation in the Duskin Leadership Training Program, Milestone has become the primary organization initiating the independent living movement in Pakistan. Through the coordination of various Japanese disability organizations, including the Independent Living Center Muchu in Japan, Milestone has been promoting the independent living movement through various seminars including the International Symposium on "Life for All" held in February 2003 as well as the 2nd International Seminar on "What Disability Is?" held in March 2004.

3.11 Public Awareness

Public awareness campaigns are launched on special occasions such as the "Celebration of Disabled Day" and the "White Cane Safety Day". On such occasions conferences, seminars and meetings are held under the auspices of relevant Government organizations. Special events are also held to create awareness about the problems and needs of persons with disabilities. In these events the main focus has been to promote a broad range of positive images of people with disabilities participating in various aspects of everyday life.

The President of Pakistan and Governors of the Provinces meet special delegations of persons with disabilities on "International Day of Disabled Persons" and issue special messages to special supplements of various newspapers.

A special television program called "Light" provides interviews and panel discussion on various topics related to people with disabilities which is hosted by Dr. Khalid Jamil and airs once a week on PTV. Through the Department of Information, the Government sponsors this program. The program has been on the air for more than 8 years.

The National Library and Resource Center established under the auspices of the Directorate General of Special Education has made great efforts in creating and enhancing professional insight by establishing a special library which contains professional books, overseas journals, audio and video cassettes, content page services, journals, reports and bulletins.

A private circulated monthly magazine called the "Pakistan Special" is the largest and only representative magazine circulated for PWDs in Pakistan. It is the only representative magazine for PWDs in Pakistan. In 2001, the renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Quadeer Khan became the magazines Patron-in-Chief. During 2002, the magazine became the first on-line magazine for PWDs in Pakistan.

A directory of special education institutions and rehabilitation centers was prepared containing information on the services and number of beneficiaries from the 293 centers. According to the Ministry of Women's Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, this directory is currently being revised.

The NISE has published several studies and reports for the general public on a variety of disabilities as follows:

3.12 Sports

The Government ratified the ILO Convention 159 in 1994. The main thrust of the convention is to create an atmosphere aiming at equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities through the provision of services, which are more appropriate to their needs and not different from able-bodied persons.

In order to promote sports and athletic activities at the national level, the subject "Sports for the Disabled" was entrusted by the Directorate General of Special Education to the National Training Center for Disabled Persons in Islamabad in 1988. The Center obtained the membership of the International Sports Organization for the Disabled and the International Paralympics Committee.

The first main Special Olympics was held in Pakistan in 1989 and athletes from Pakistan have since attended the Special Olympics World Games in 1991, 1995 and 1999. A brief summary of participants is as follows:

• 1991 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Minnesota, USA-16 medals, 16 Athletes
• 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Connecticut, USA-23 Medals, 28 Athletes
• 1996 Special Olympics 1st Asia/Pacific Summer Games, China-32 Medals, 14 Athletes
• 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, North Carolina, USA-63 Medals, 40 Athletes
• 2002 FESPIC, North Korea

Additionally, the National Cricket Team of Visually Handicapped Persons participated in World Blind Cricket Tournament held in 1998 in South Africa and won 2nd position.

Biwako Millennium Framework Seven Priority Areas:

3.13 Self-help Organizations of persons with disabilities and related family and parents associations

According to the Government, there are more than 200 self-help organizations actively involved in providing services to persons with disabilities in the areas of welfare, care, education, training and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

The Government has acknowledged that it cannot solve the problems faced by people with disabilities alone. Therefore, it enlists the support of the NGOs and the community. In order to promote special education programs in the private sector, the Government has extended financial and technical assistance to NGOs around the country.

Student Talent Exchange Program (STEP)

STEP is an organization for the disabled by the disabled. It was launched in 1997 by the alumni of special education centers of Islamabad in order to effectuate change in the behavior of society toward PWDs. STEP is engaged in the promotion of talent and capabilities of PWDs and has conducted seminars, awareness camps and motivational events. The membership of STEP comprises more than 200 PWDs.

STEP is currently in the process of organizing an international seminar being held in Islamabad in April 2004.

Milestone Society for the Special Persons (Milestone)

Milestone was established in 1993 by PWDs in order to focus on the awareness raising, capacity building, provision of basic facilities and normalizing PWDs to become honorable citizens. The late Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan is the Chief Patron of the Society. Milestone currently has over 500 members and is based in Lahore (see section 3.10 - Independent Living Movement for more details on Milestone activities).

3.14 Women with Disabilities

The Government′s programs for people with disabilities includes women with disabilities, however there are no specific programs for women with disabilities. The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equality of men and women and also contains special provisions for affirmative action towards equality of opportunity for women. The Government is therefore, committed to ensure equality, empowerment and development of women to bring them on par with men, in all sectors and at all levels. The Government does have specific programs and strategies for women that are provided under poverty reduction strategies and gender and development plans that are addressed under the Government′s Ten Year Perspective Development Plan, 2001-2011.

The Government has recognized that the incidence of poverty affects women more adversely on account of their weak position, lack of equal participation in economic activity and inequitable access to productive resources. It is therefore, that the Government has included social safety intervention schemes in its Ten Year Plan for poor women and children with the aim to:

• Increasing access to micro credit facilities already instituted through the First Women Bank and Khushal Bank
• Increasing the number of Crisis Centers for women and children at District levels with adequate provisions for medical and legal help
• Strengthening Skill Development Centers at district levels for providing training in different crafts
• The Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), Zakat council and Zakat Foundation where from help and assistance is provided to primarily poor and indigent women and children under various schemes. These include Food Support Programs, individual financial assistance, medical assistance and educational stipends.

A women welfare program is directed towards providing equal opportunities to women in all spheres of life. The programs will include establishing mother and children homes, homes for the destitute and under privileged women. Measures will be taken to rehabilitate such women in their homes and localities. The institutional care will be restricted only to the homeless women without support, legal aid, counseling and guidance services will be provided to those who become victim of exploitation and violence. The existing number of Rescue Homes (Darul Amans) will be increased and established at district levels. Socio-economic and skill training centers will be established to make the women self-reliant members of the society while skill development or income generating activities will be established in rural areas.

3.15 Early Detection, Intervention and Education

Early Detection / Prevention

The Government has implemented an aggressive campaign of immunization. All hospitals and clinics in the private and public sectors are providing services of immunization to infants in both urban and rural areas. The Ministry of Health in cooperation and collaboration with relevant agencies is creating awareness among masses about the immunization program through extensive publicity. Community participation in the prevention of causes of disability is being encouraged by involving community-based organizations. The Government expects that by 2004, Pakistan will be a polio free society.

Education

The Directorate General of Special Education operates 11 visually handicapped centers (VHC), 12 intellectual disability centers (IDC), 12 hearing impairment centers (HIC) and 11 physically handicapped centers (PHC) which provide assessment and diagnostic services; special education services; provision of personal aids and appliances; curriculum development; sports and recreation.

National Institute of Special Education

The NISE was established in 1986 with the following objectives:

• Develop a manpower training program in special education by organizing short- and long-term courses
• Collaborate with universities and international agencies
• Develop and publish materials for guiding special education teachers, parents and other professionals
• Promote research activities
• Establish standard policies on the admission, assessment and placement of children with disabilities into the special education programs countrywide
• Develop a curriculum for special education
• Evaluate the children's educational progress

National Trust for the Disabled (NTD)

The NTD was established under Pakistan's Charitable Endowment Act and is headed by the Prime Minister. Its Executive Committee, led by the Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, and the chief ministers of all the four provinces, is responsible for forming the policies of the NTD. Under the supervision of the Committee, a managing director is responsible for running NTD's day-to-day operations and implementing its policies.

NTD's aims include the following, to:

• Establish model institutions for the care, education and rehabilitation of people with disabilities
• Prescribe and undertake specialized training programs for people with disabilities
• Conduct research on the nature and extent of the problems faced by people with disabilities at the national level
• Arrange financial assistance and advisory services for individuals and families
• Deal with, and enter into agreements with, national or international organizations in special education

The NTD has claimed success in establishing three special education multi-purpose complexes for people with disabilities at Naushahroferoze, Orangi Town in Karachi, and Mianwali. These complexes in the rural and slum areas are providing services such as early identification of disability, treatment, specialized education, training and rehabilitation. At Nausharoferoze, the centre started as a rural set-up and was housed in a building acquired with the help of the Government of Sindh. It is now being modernized into a model institution. The special education complex in Orangi Town, Karachi, is a purpose-built centre, and is housed on rented premises. At Mianwali, the special education complex is housed in a rented building and has state-of-the-art equipment and a skilled team to impart education and training to children with disabilities.

Under the Ten Year Perspective Development Plan, 2001-2011, the education and rehabilitation programs for the disabled persons are addressed under Chapter 11, Social Welfare, Sectoral Strategies and Programs as follows:

11.15 The following measure will be taken for the care, uplift, education, training and rehabilitation of the disabled persons during the three year plan

1. Completion of Purpose Built Buildings

The construction work to meet the peculiar needs of the disabled children started during 1987-1988 is still incomplete and as such the major emphasis is the sub-sector of Special Education would therefore, be laid on the completion of construction work in progress at various places.

2. Up-gradation of Special Schools

The special education centers established both in the public and private sectors do not have proper equipment, trained teachers and transport facilities to provide pick and drop service to the children. The strengthening, up-gradation and revitalization of these centers will be accorded high priority. The existing primary schools particularly established at the National and Provincial levels will be upgraded to middle and matric levels. This up-gradation will, however, largely depend upon the required enrolment of students.

3. Establishment of Vocational Training Centers

The rehabilitation of the disabled children largely depends upon the vocational training and development of their skills well suited to their functional disability. The vocational training centers including sheltered workshops will, therefore, be established for the disabled persons at divisional levels. The exiting vocational training centers established by the Technical Education Departments/Manpower and Labour Division will also be utilized to make the handicapped persons productive and self-reliant members of the society.

4. Special Education Training

The Special Education Training Program started in collaboration with the universities of Punjab, Karachi, Allama Iqbal Open University and an in-service training program started through the National Institute of Special Education will be strengthened by providing additional inputs to make the training more meaningful and purposeful.

5. Establishment of Ortho-prosthetic Workshops

The provision of ortho-prosthetics to the disabled persons is essential to enable them to make maximum use of their abilities. Existing facilities at the Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Lahore, are highly inadequate to meet the growing needs of the disabled persons. It is, therefore, proposed that ortho-prosthetic workshops will be established in all big hospitals.

6. Integrated Education Program

Integrated/Inclusive Education is the most recent approach adopted in western world for the main-streaming of disabled both to minimize expenses and help the disabled to adjust in normal social setups. The program for Integrated Education in normal schools for the disabled will be initiated and introduced in each province. These ordinary schools would have the provision of necessary infrastructure in the form of special education teachers, equipment, books, visiting doctors for assessment, diagnosis and treatment and an administrative mechanism for implementation of the integrated education program. This is particularly required in a country with meager financial resources.

7. Residential Homes for Profoundly Disabled

Homes for the profoundly disabled persons will be established at Provincial and Divisional (Headquarters) to provide relief and shelter.

3.16 Training and Employment

The National Training Centre for the Disabled (NTCD) conducts specialized skills training programs. NTCD objectives are to:

• Provide vocational training and rehabilitation services: training is conducted on skills in welding, bench fitting (machinists), knitting, tailoring and making electrical and electronic equipment
• Facilitate and provide placement services
• Educate the community about the contributions of disabled persons to society
• Help the people with disabilities contribute to, and become productive members of society

Besides the NTCD, two vocational training centers, which offer the same services, have also been established in Karachi and Lahore.

3.17 Access to Built Environment and Public Transportation

According to the Ministry of Women's Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, The Ministry and the Capital Development Authority has declared that Islamabad was the first disability friendly city in country. A model project of Melody Market in Islamabad is being used for replication in other areas. A part for the disabled in F-9, Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad is also in the process of being completed. Signboards with disability friendly messages and reserved parking for the disabled have been installed in important parking lots throughout Islamabad. The Ministry and the respective provincial/district Governments have also declared Lahore and Peshawar as disability friendly cities.

At the command of the Directorate General of Special Education, the agencies responsible for regulating the construction of buildings such as the District Development Authorities at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sargodha have been providing barrier free environments in new buildings. Changes in the existing building codes are in process to bring them to the standard required for ensuring accessibility and communication to persons with disabilities. Special provisions in public parks and places are underway for making them accessible to the people with disabilities.

The following specific measures have been proposed:

• Ramps
• Passages and doorways
• Lifts
• Parking lots
• Special provisions for visually impaired persons
• Special provisions for physically handicapped persons
• Special provisions for hearing impaired persons

Modifications in building by-laws have been proposed to ensure that all existing buildings having any significance for persons with disabilities are structurally modified and new buildings are constructed with all necessary and specific provisions. The changes in the by-laws are aimed at improving functionality and ensuring autonomy and safety to persons with disabilities. The plan also focuses on specific requirement of transport, parking space, signs, traffic signals and access to all public buildings by providing ramps, elevator, stirs and Braille bars. A telephone helpline for guidance and assistance to persons with disabilities has been established at the DGSE in Islamabad.

At the national level facilities of duty free import of equipment and assistive devices and specially designed vehicles exist to ease accessibility for persons with disabilities.

3.18 Access to Information and Communication

The Government, through the National Institute of Special Education has provided the development of educational materials and publications for the improvement in the quality of aids teachers use for teaching children with disabilities. Besides training programs, materials for education and public awareness were produced and distributed among teachers, parents and other professionals, which included periodic reports, training manuals, brochures and special education bulletins.

Through the National Institute of Special Education, a project to produce reading materials for children with disabilities was completed in collaboration in UNESCO. Additionally, UNICEF sponsored the translation of a book for parents and other persons involved with special education into Urdu. The book covers assessment, prevention, management techniques and education training of a handicapped child in different disability areas.

Representatives from Deaf Associations in Pakistan convened to explore and determine what aspects needed to be overcome in order to create a sign language with regional variations, how sign language can be included in the primary school syllabus and create a sign language based on a general vocabulary. Efforts continue to provide and implement such a national sign language program.

The National Braille Press produces Braille books which are provided to the visually disabled persons, almost free of cost. Examples of Braille books include the Holy Quran with Urdu translation which is one of its kind in the world, Bang-e-Dara, Bal-e-Jabriel along with over 108 other publications of national importance

3.19 Poverty Alleviation through capacity-building, social security and sustainable livelihood programs

According to the Ten Year Perspective Development Plan 2001-2011 and the Three Year Development Programme 2001-2004, reducing poverty is a primary objective of the plan. It has been acknowledged that achieving this objective requires progress on broad-based growth, basic social services and social safety nets. The Government has recognized that developments includes reducing human poverty defined in terms of expanding opportunities and capabilities and not just ensuring adequate food intake.

Under the Development Plan, Education and Rehabilitation Services for Disabled Persons is addressed under Chapter 4-Poverty Reduction Strategy, Section 5 Social Asset Creation for the Poor, as follows:

Section 5.5 Education and Rehabilitation Services for Disabled Persons

4.50. The special education centers established both in the public and private sectors do not have proper equipment, trained teachers and transport facilities to provide pick and drop service to the children. The strengthening, up-gradation and revitalization of these centers will be accorded high priority during 2000-2003. The rehabilitation of the disabled children largely depends upon the vocational training and development of their skills well suited to their functional disability. The vocational training centers including sheltered workshops will, therefore, be established for the disabled persons at divisional level. The existing vocational training centers established by the Technical Education Departments / Manpower and Labour Division will also be utilized to make the disabled persons productive and self-reliant members of the society.

4.51. The Special Education Training Program started in collaboration with the universities of Punjab, Karachi, Allama Iqbal Open University and providing additional inputs to make the training more meaningful and purposeful will strengthen in-service training program started through National Institute of Special Education.

4.52. Integrated / Inclusive Education is the most recent approach adopted in western world for the mainstreaming of disabled both to minimize expenses and helps the disabled both to minimize expenses and helps the disabled to adjust in normal social setups. The program for Integrated Education in 5,000 normal schools for the disabled will be initiated and introduced in each province. These ordinary schools would have the provision of necessary infrastructure in the form of special education teachers, equipment, and books, visiting doctors for assessment, diagnosis and treatment and an administrative mechanism for implementation of the integrated education program. This is particularly required in a country with meager financial resources.

4.53 Homes for profoundly disabled persons will be established at Provincial and district headquarters to provide relief and shelter.