Tunisia observes International Day of Disabled People
TUNISIAONLINENEWS- Similarly to the rest of the world, Tunisia observes on December 3, 2009, the International Day of Disabled People.
Under the motto “Celebrating Empowerment through independence, Inclusive and choice” the aim of this day is to raise awareness, and to promote independence, inclusion and choice of disabled people.
In a statement released on this occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad, writes that this day is an opportunity to showcase the achievements accomplished for the benefit of the disabled in Tunisia.
The statement highlights the concern of the Head of State to promote persons with disabilities, in consecration of human rights in their global meaning.
Promulgated in August 2005, the law on the promotion and protection of rights of people with disabilities covers all aspects relating to the protection of the disabled.
On December 2006, Tunisia ratified the international Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities as well as the ancillary Optional Protocol which it ratified on February 2008.
Since then, Tunisia has focused its efforts on upgrading specialized education centres and computer units to enhance awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
These structures have been strengthened by the use of ICT for the disabled; several projects have been created across regions with the aim to provide appropriate educational software and setting up remote administrative services.
For its part, the “Basma” association, for the promotion of employment of the disabled chaired by Mrs Leila Ben Ali, is supporting government efforts to ensure optimal guidance for the disabled, as well as playing an important role in the use of computers and ICT to guarantee the right to access to the information society.
Since 1987, the number of associations active in the sector of the disabled has increased from 14 to 96 and their sections are estimated today at 230, against only 77 twenty years ago.
Special needs and education centres increased from 77 to 279, which helped to expand the number of beneficiaries of such structures. President Ben Ali’s Program for 2009-2014, offers new perspectives enshrining the protection of the disabled and promoting their integration into public life.
In his Program, President Ben Ali focused on the setting up of a national plan for the prevention of at-birth and acquired disability, prompting the private sector to invest in services for the disabled, encouraging biological or alternative families to take care of disabled persons in their family environment. School integration for children with disabilities is also an important component of this set up.
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