12th Fortnight Barrier Free Campaign kicks off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2019:
The Handicapped Development Foundation, Manipur started '12th Fortnight Barrier Free Campaign 2019' at the premises of Department of Social Welfare, Imphal today.
The campaign being organised under the theme 'Change Attitude to minimise barrier' will continue till October 31.Chief guest of the event, Director Department of Social Welfare Ngangom Uttam Singh released poster and leaflets for the campaign.
Talking about the significance of the campaign, the Director said that all offices, public places, educational institutions etc should be made accessible and PWD (persons with disabilities) friendly.
Creating a barrier free environment for the differently abled persons is a must to ensure safety, obstacle free movement.
Besides removing the physical barriers that restrict the abilities of the differently abled persons, people should also change their attitude and thinking towards them, he said hinting that helpful gestures and understanding their (differently abled persons) needs would provide them with a more constructive and friendly environment.
HD Foundation Manipur secretary general Dr Sapam Jasowanta also attended the event.
He said that the foundation has been organising the barrier free campaign since 2008 with the main objective of creating an environment that is accessible and usable by everyone in the society including people with disabilities.
"People should focus more on the abilities of individual rather than his/her disabilities.
Unless we break down the attitudinal, communication, physical, policy and social barriers, discrimination towards persons with disabilities can not be curbed," he said.