The government, in pursuit of the goal of building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, is working hard to ensure equitable development of all regions of the Union with the aim of bridging the development gap between one national race and another. In the process, the Social Welfare Department under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is cooperating with relevant government bodies, NGOs and UN agencies to reduce the number of possible social problems in the future nation. One of the eight functions of the department is “to rehabilitate the disabled”.

Myanmar people, by nature, preserve a fine tradition of extending a helpful hand to those in need. If a family comprises a handicapped child, the other family members care him with sympathy. Indeed, showing sympathy for the child is not enough. So, it is required to train such a child in order that he, like other children, will be able to lead a normal life throughout his life. It is also needed to nurture him in order to have access to education and participate in activities, and stand with prestige without facing any discrimination.

In like manner, it is needed to rehabilitate those who become disabled after they have been adults due to various reasons so that they will be able to face and brave various forms of difficulties tenaciously. Such disabled persons who are not in a position to pursue formal education are to be given non-formal education along with appropriate vocational training. Moreover, it is required to create job opportunities that are suitable to their vocational educational qualifications.

Only then will it be possible for them to have opportunities to present their skills and qualifications and do their bit in the nation-building tasks. The United Nations has designated “Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities” as the theme of the International Day of Disabled Persons for 2007.

The statement regarding the theme says that in every society very few persons with disabilities are duly employed. In fact, in most countries up to 80% of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed. Most others are under-employed or will never have access to the labour market. It adds that in most countries, there is no law to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. In practice, it means blockage to disabled people’s rights to jobs. And the unemployed population is still high is developed countries as well, it says.

In Myanmar, there is no discrimination against any persons with disabilities. The government is putting strenuous endeavours into the rehabilitation of the disabled in collaboration with governmental organizations (GOs) like the Social Welfare Department, and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).

In order to rehabilitate those physically handicapped, those mentally retarded, those visually impaired and those with impaired hearing, the Social Welfare Department has established one training school for the adult disabled, one training school for the young disabled, two training schools for the blind, and one training school for the deaf. Among them, those who are in a position to pursue formal education are given education at basic education high schools and universities, and those who are not in this position are given non-formal education and vocational education.

Among the orphans being nurtured at the training schools under the Social Welfare Department, disabled youths are nurtured at the Disabled Care Unit near Kyaikwaing Youths Training School. Similarly, well-wishers and NGOs run 10 training schools for disabled people. One of them is Eden Disabled Care Centre situated at Phawtkan Ward in Insein Township, Yangon Division, which nurtures and trains young disabled people to sharpen their abilities.

In the Kyimyindine and Sagaing Schools for the Blind, the students are taught education ranging from Braille to university education. So far, 20 persons have passed matriculation examination, 12 are pursuing tertiary education, and two have got their degrees. In 2006-2007 academic year, five students from Kyimyindine School for the Blind passed matriculation examination, two of whom won distinctions. Therefore, the blind youths throughout the nation should be sent to these schools to enable them to lead a normal life. Volunteers teach the students at Khawegyan School for the Blind.

In Mandalay School for the Deaf, deaf youths are given formal education, non-formal education and vocational training in order to earn their living. Likewise, Yangon Mary Chapman’s School for the Deaf and Dumb nurture the deaf. In Myanmar, the government and social organizations are striving in harness for the nation’s rehabilitation services to meet international level. And they are taking measures to enable the persons with disabilities to stand on their feet. AAR (Association of Aid and Relief), one of the INGOs, in cooperation with the Social Welfare Department is conducting advanced tailoring course, hair dressing course, and beauty courses for disabled adults.

In olden days, disabled persons were considered to be unfortunate people, handicapped people, useless people, people who were stunted in physique or deficient in faculties, or burdens on their families and societies. In the late 20th Century, there were global changes in such views and concepts.

There have been a variety of methods, with which the skills and qualifications of a person can be applied in an easy way in the 21st Century or IT age. Unlike in the past, it is required to improve the life of disabled people in accordance with the changes.

Therefore, showing sympathy for disabled people is not enough. More ways and means are to be sought to enable them to lead a better life and to join training schools in accordance with their abilities. They should be sent to schools for the blind and the deaf under the Social Welfare Department in Kyinmyindine and Sagaing for education and vocational training.

Furthermore, it is required to create jobs for the disabled people who have completed basic education or vocational training and for those who become disabled after they have come of age. In Japan and Singapore, specified percentage of disabled persons have been appointed in factories and companies. In Myanmar, a large number of private-owned factories and companies have emerged according to the marketoriented economic system. Thus, the entrepreneurs and proprietors should help improve the living conditions of disabled people by appointing them in their businesses. Surely, if so, they will win recognition and respect of the people.

So, in accordance with the theme of “Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities”, it is needed to extend a helpful hand to the disabled in order that they will have opportunities to participate in appropriate work. Only then will they be able to do their bit in nation-building tasks. In conclusion, I would like to urge the people to help them enjoy the fruits of the drive for building a modern developed nation, like others.