The government has approved an insurance scheme, providing cover to the children who have multiple disabilities or are severely disabled.

The scheme would help persons with disabilities live a respectable life and get complete medical care, which majority of the people could not afford due to limited resources, official sources told APP here on Sunday.

The sources quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 10 per cent population of the country comprises persons with disabilities whereas 1998 census indicated that 4.7 per cent people were disabled.

“Among these 4.7 per cent people, nearly 57 per cent are physically disabled and rest are hearing impaired, visually impaired and mentally retarded,” they said.

They informed that a National Plan of Action has also been prepared to implement the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities.

They said that the main thrust of the National Plan of Action 2006, include early intervention, assessment and medical treatment, education and training, vocational training, employment and rehabilitation, research and development, barrier free buildings, parks and public places, strengthening of institutional mechanisms and adequate funding.

Directorate General of Special Education in collaboration with Ministry of Education and provincial departments of education is working on a project for executing integrated education for children with disabilities, they added.

Under the plan of action, five major cities namely Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta and Lahore have been declared disabled friendly.

National Institute for Handicapped is also working to provide health care facilities for all types of disabilities, they added.

Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) has established model centers for inclusive education in 16 Federal Government schools in the centre where more than 200 students are getting education, they said. “Inclusive Education centres are also established in Turbat and Kech in Balochistan and Mirpur Khas in Sindh,” sources said.

They said that National Institute of Special Education is providing training providing training to Special Education Teachers for professional working in disciplines like, physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology, braille, music and sports for persons with disabilities Constraints.

They added that National Commission for Child Welfare and Development is endeavoring to raise the capacity of the teachers of Special Education Centers and create awareness among people with disabilities to avail the facilities established for them so that these people help contribute in national progress.