The National Disability Alliance (NDA), operating under the secretariat of the National Disability & Development Forum (NDF), successfully organized an event to mark World Disability Day in Shahpur Chakar. The observance was held in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) of the Government of Sindh and the ADDTF.
Community and Activists Unite for Rights
The event saw active participation from a diverse group, including civil society representatives, dedicated disability rights activists, and engaged members of the local community. This gathering served as a powerful platform to highlight the ongoing challenges and necessary steps towards a more inclusive Pakistan.
Leadership Calls for Societal Shift
Addressing the attendees, Abid Lashari, President of NDF Pakistan, delivered a compelling message. He argued that disability should not be perceived as a personal limitation but rather as a collective responsibility of society. Lashari pointed out that the primary barriers are not the disabilities themselves, but an inaccessible environment, pervasive negative attitudes, and a critical lack of inclusive policies.
He stressed the urgent need for concrete actions, focusing on three key areas: the development of accessible infrastructure, the promotion of inclusive education systems, and the creation of equal opportunities in all spheres of life. Lashari acknowledged the efforts of the Sindh Government's DEPD Department in implementing the Sindh Disability Law of 2018 in its true spirit, with rehabilitation, empowerment, and inclusive education being top priorities. He expressed hope that the provincial government would maintain this momentum to foster widespread social inclusion.
Ongoing Advocacy and Policy Work
Tariq Hussain Channar, Program Manager at NDF, detailed the organization's continuous efforts to advance disability inclusion. These initiatives work simultaneously at both the grassroots community level and the higher echelons of policy-making. Channar made a direct appeal to government institutions, local authorities, and development partners. He urged them to fulfill their roles in ensuring the creation of enabling and fully accessible environments for persons with disabilities across Sindh and Pakistan.
The event in Shahpur Chakar stands as a significant reminder of the work that remains. It reinforces the call for moving beyond symbolic gestures towards the tangible implementation of laws and policies that guarantee dignity, access, and equal rights for all citizens, regardless of ability.
