Digital technology must be used to overcome disability: Telecom Minister

"We are now living in the digital age," said Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar. Digital technology must be used to overcome disability at this time. In the meantime, a lot of digital technology has been invented for the disabled. More technology will come in the future. Not only that, as the world evolves with digital connectivity, people with disabilities can also build their careers with digital skills - physical disability can no more be an obstacle. He said that children with disabilities are not a burden to the family and society. They are far more talented than the able-bodied in society. It is possible to build them as an asset by providing inspiration and proper patronage from their side. He expressed strong hope that the people with disabilities could be transformed into skilled human resources through innovation and application of digital technology. The Minister mentioned that it is a matter of overcoming obstacles today. The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the award distribution ceremony among the winners of the online music competition organized for disabled musicians across the country at the Swedish Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday. The Minister for Posts and Telecommunications emphasized on the need for proper care and patronage for the people with disabilities and said that the movement of the visually impaired has been facilitated by applying artificial intelligence technology on the white cane. The publishing industry in Bangla needs to be done in Braille. He highlighted the various programs undertaken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the disabled and the role of her worthy daughter Saima Wazed Putul for autistic children. He said that autistic children have achieved success by studying in schools, colleges and even universities. Some are good at computer-programming, many are good at math. In addition, they are able to work with the same skills as everyone else on the computer, the Internet, using different software and so on. The minister said that in many cases the facilities required for persons with disabilities in vehicles and buildings are not available, but awareness has increased and attitudes towards persons with disabilities have changed. The event was addressed by Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, Founder of Impact Foundation, Disability and Human Rights Development Activist, Md. Nurul Alam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries, and Mahbubul Monir, Secretary General of Swede-Bangladesh. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Zahid Ahmed Chowdhury Bipul, Chairman, Aubak Bangladesh Ltd. Mansoor Ahmed Chowdhury emphasized the need for empathy and cooperation of all towards autistic children and said that opportunities should be created for people with disabilities. Earlier, solo and group music and dance of disabled artists were performed. The Minister distributed prizes among the winners of the online music competition.