IIMSAM Official Observed International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Doha, Qatar, December 04, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “This day reminds us of the many contributions people with disabilities make to the well-being of our society. We should strive for achieving goal of decent work for persons with disabilities, and reminds us that every person deserves opportunities for productive employment in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. IIMSAM marks this day by calling on the governments and stakeholders to address long-standing funding problems for the disability support sector.”

The Goodwill Ambassador said international Day of People with Disability is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. “It also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life,” added Dr. Homoud. He urged people to work for betterment of person with disabilities as it is important that all individuals and organizations working in disability and development make the most of this opportunity to advocate for inclusive practices in development as well as celebrate achievements to date.

Dr. Homoud further said “The disabled people are special people with rights and society should structure in a way that it meets the needs of all its citizens. Our special brothers and sisters are men and women of great courage. They have taught us, who suffer from no mental or physical disability, that we will never be able to count the blessings of God for bestowing a life free of any disability to pursue a life of their choice.” He said that there is need to take urgent steps to attend to the special needs of special people and the governments should fully realize this and should take steps to achieve a comparable standard of service for disable persons. He further said “We should play a part in this process, by including people with disabilities, as we do for other members of our community, as part of our lives: at school; work; or in community and sporting activities; by working with disability advocacy organizations to achieve positive change; or by supporting the many areas in which all levels of government and private enterprises are facilitating change.”

Appealing to governments and stakeholders Dr. Homoud said “I call upon all states for special provision for those members of the society who suffer from the effects of disabilities. Creation of special facilities for education, training the rehabilitation of disabled persons must be given central importance by the governments and agencies to meet the millennium development goals along with active participation of persons with disability.” He said that a general consensus should be reached that society needs more awareness and orientation on the rights of persons with disability to display minimum respect for their dignity. Speaking on this context Dr. Homoud reminded that the day should be used for promoting an understanding of disability issues together with rights of rights of people with disabilities, and should highlight the benefits and gains to society when people with disabilities are integrated into every aspect of life in their communities.

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