The executive and legislative branches of government underscored their support for people of special needs and vowed dedicating all efforts to address their concerns, it was learned here on Tuesday.
This came out at an informal meeting by the National assembly marking the fifth day of national solidarity with people of special needs. Under the banner line of "Let us Joint Hands Together" House Speaker Jassem al-Kharafi addressed the assembly which included many representatives of civil societies adovacting for those with special needs. He promised that the assembly will spare no effort to look into all issues vital to the wellbeing of those with special needs.
He reminded his audience that the national assembly has just formed a parliamentary committee to look after the requirements of people with special needs. One of the major objectives of the committee, he noted, was to come up with a draft proposal for a bill on the rights of the disabled. This bill will be discussed by the assembly on December 3, a date that coincides with the international day for people with special needs, al-Kharafi said.
In the event that the bill is officially adopted by the assembly, he said, it will be incumbent on all government ministries and agencies to keep the needs of the disabled in the dispensation of their policies.
Echoing al-Kharafi's sentiments were those addressed to the assembly by the ministers of communication and of health who vowed they would dedicate the potentials in their ministries to helping those with special needs.
On his part, chairman of the parliamentary committee for affairs of those with special needs, Musallam al-Barrak, indicated that once the bill for the rights of the disabled is passed by the assembly, it will address many concerns of the disabled, particularly those having to do with their being able to move around or attain a job or get appropriate housing.
Also addressing the assembly today were representatives from a number of civil service organizations such as the Kuwait Down Syndrome Society, the Kuwaiti Society for Affairs of the Disabled, the Society for Parents of the Disabled, the Kuwait Sports Club, and the Society for Human Rights and others. They upheld the need for a bill of rights for the disabled and urged lawmakers and the government to bring this bill into existence soon after December 3. - Kuna