SEMINAR "PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES" Organized by Saaya Association

SAAYA Association Islamabads main focus is to work for the betterment of peoples attitudes towards persons with disabilities and enhance, promote access to their opportunities in all facets of life including the health sector, the education sector as well as in sports. By achieving that, much secure and better living conditions for the people with disabilities can be made possible. Although SAAYA is young organization established by well experienced leader of disability movement of Pakistan named Mian Asim has proved its abilities that this organization is not less then any organizations working since long. Recently SAAYA collaborated with CHEF International in awareness walk for polio campaign. People with disabilities account for approximately 15 per cent of the world's population and 80 per cent of the world's poor are living in poverty in developing countries. They struggle to gain access and recognition in employment, education and health. It is proved that poorest among poor are people with disabilities. Because Disability creates povety and poverty creates disability Pakistan has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 5th July this year. CRPD calls for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities through the implementation of policies and programs aimed at eliminating discrimination, prejudice and harmful practices. Saaya Association has organized Seminar on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities on 27th Oct, 2011 in COMSATS university Islamabad. Purpose of this seminar was to create awareness on CRPD among young generation of Pakistan. Dr

Khalid Naeem ex-DGSE also participated in the seminar. At the event inaccessibility was observed and it was demonstrated how such obstacles and negligence creates barriers for people with disabilities. The students of the University appreciated efforts of persons with disabilities themselves and they expressed that SAAYA has changed their mind set about disability and people with disabilities.