RAJSHAHI, June 28: At a participatory discussion, speakers have put emphasis on bringing  the physically challenged people into the mainstream  through protecting their fundamental rights. 
They also viewed full-fledged implementation of the Laws on Persons with Disabilities regarding their Rights and Protection-2013 will help bring overall development.
The observations came at a workshop styled 'Legitimate Rights of the Persons with Disabilities' held at Godagari Upazila Parishad auditorium in the district on Sunday.
Pratibandhi Shaw-nirbhar Sangstha (PSS) organised the meeting in association with Handicap International and UKaid.
Upazila Chairman Md Ishaque addressed the meeting as chief guest while Vice-Chairmen Md Kamruzzaman and Raoshan Ara spoke as special guests with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khalid Hossain in the chair.
Women Affairs Officer Mahbuba Sultana, Youth Development Officer Ashiqur Rahman, Agriculture Officer Toufiqur Rahman, Cooperative Officer Azizur Rahman and Assistant Education Officer Rashida Yeasmin also spoke.
PSS President Mominul Islam welcomed the participants.
Main thrust of the meeting was to draw attention of all officials and other stakeholders to the plights of the challenged people.
During his keynote presentation, Mahmuda Khatun, publicity secretary of PSS, said the government should adopt long-term planning to solve problems of the country's millions of physically challenged people instead of relying on relief-based approaches.
She said the charity-based approaches and projects don't yield the desired results as they leave out a large part of the physically challenged population who need it most.
"Budgetary allocation for them has also increased, but development of them is still not the mainstream development," she said.
The issue of the challenged population has so far been seen from welfare approach. "As long as we see them as beneficiaries and in passive role, there won't be any major changes.
"We have to regard these people as the active agent of the social change. Project-based activities will not yield the expected results," Mabuba observed.
The guest speakers mentioned that the challenged people need social support for their proper rehabilitation and family integration.
They viewed collective efforts of both the public and private organisations have become an urgent need for ensuring their fundamental rights for their social dignity.
Terming the challenged people as the integral part of the society they put emphasis on mainstreaming them through creating a disabled-friendly atmosphere.