BHUBANESWAR: The National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities will soon set up a branch in the Capital City. The institute would work towards promoting quality of life for persons with disabilities (PwDs) through equal participation of clients, families, professionals and community agencies, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on Thursday.
Addressing a programme on the occasion of World Disability Day, Naveen said PwDs are an important section of the society and the State Government schemes to provide education and skill development training are focused to bring them to the mainstream.
As many as 100 buildings and 25 websites which are frequented by PwDs will be modified to make them barrier-free and accessible for the differently-abled persons, the Chief Minister added.
In the event, which was organised by Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, differently-abled students from across the State took out a rally from Station Square to Adivasi Ground where an awareness camp on education, skill enhancement and rehabilitation was held.
The Department felicitated eight talented personalities on the occasion. The event concluded with a cultural programme in which PwDs performed.
As many as 1,300 students participated in various events and sensitisation programme organised by social organisation Swabhiman on the occasion.
Differently-abled students participated in foot painting, mouth painting and quiz competition held at SAI International school and Railway Station premises. The organisers had placed an expression board with the slogan ‘Stand by the Rights of PwDs’.
People from various walks of life wrote their opinions on the board suggesting ways to make the lives of PwDs better.