CM’s ADWC major welfare initiative for special persons

RAWALPINDI, Jul 02 (APP): Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Abdul Rehman Khan on Thursday said that the Chief Minister’s Assistive Devices and Wheel-Chair (ADWC) Flagship Programme was a commendable initiative for the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Presiding over a meeting to review measures aimed at facilitating persons with disabilities in Rawalpindi district, he said that the provision of modern assistive devices would not only improve mobility and daily life but would also enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in education, employment and social activities.

He directed the relevant departments to ensure that facilities and services were provided to deserving individuals in a transparent, timely and merit-based manner.

Participants were informed that under the Chief Minister of Punjab’s flagship programme, deserving persons with disabilities would be provided with wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, hearing aids, white canes and Braille boards to enhance their independence and improve their quality of life.

The meeting was told that beneficiaries had been selected after scrutiny of 18 applications received through the “Tell Maryam” app and 19 applications submitted under the general category.

The concerned departments were directed to ensure the provision of assistive devices to all selected applicants at the earliest in accordance with the prescribed procedure so that they could play an active role in society.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the three per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities in public and private institutions and directed the concerned organizations to ensure strict compliance with the relevant laws.

Participants further discussed the implementation of the Building Code 2006 to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities in government and private buildings, to make public spaces more inclusive and accessible.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to taking effective measures through cooperation for the welfare, empowerment and provision of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in society.

Deputy Director Social Welfare, the District Zakat Officer, representatives of TEVTA, the Education Department, Special Education Department, Labour Department, PECI and other relevant institutions attended the meeting.