DHAKA: Over 4.5 million children in Bangladesh live with various disabilities, including learning disabilities, speech impairment and behavioural problems.

Most of the handicapped children have, however, remained unidentified and undiagnosed and are excluded from health, education and social services, the New Age daily reported Thursday (Dec 2).

Over 25 children in every 1,000 have learning difficulties and only four percent school-aged children with disabilities are enrolled in educational institutions, says Xinhua, quoting the daily.

The figures were reported in surveys ahead of the second regional seminar on childhood disability, to be held Dec 4-6 in Dhaka.

More than 60 professionals and experts from Japan, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, the United Kingdom and the United States are expected to present papers and conduct workshops at the seminar. It is being organised by the Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (Disabled's Foundation) and
the Shishu Bikash Network (Children Development Network).

Over 250 local professionals, parents, children with disability and other stakeholders are also scheduled to participate.

Professor Sultana S. Zaman, vice-president of the seminar organizing committee, said professionals and policymakers tended to overlook several disabilities that affect many children.

Cognitive disabilities, speech impairment, as well as language, communication and behavioural problems are coming to the forefront, she said.

The theme of the seminar - "Creating a barrier-free inclusive community and rights-based society for children with disability" - echoes a demand from parents and children for more equity, recognition and their inalienable right to quality survival, education and livelihood.

Naila Z. Khan, chairperson of the Shishu Bikash Network, said the objective of the seminar was to inspire a positive attitude among the people towards children with disability.

The seminar also aims to create conditions to include children with disability in all mainstream schools and break the stigma, myths and preconceptions that exclude children with disability from all social activities, Khan added.

Courtesy Indo-Asian News Service