People with disabilities in Arakan State have not appreciated their rights completely, said U Hla Myint, chairperson of the Arakan State Association for Persons with Disabilities.

“We must say disabled people in the region have yet to benefit from all the rights they deserve.  The respective departments and CSOs need to cooperate to be able to practice the facts included in the laws for persons with disabilities,” he said.

The number of disabled people in Arakan State is 5.3 percent of the region’s population and most of them are the blind, Myanmar Federation of Persons with Disabilities said.

U Nyunt Aung, executive member of Myanmar Federation of Persons with Disabilities, said that authorities should make sure job requirements meet the abilities of disabled people so that they can earn a living and be self-sufficient.

“Disabled people cannot work at jobs if the requirements are beyond their capabilities so employers must know what jobs are most suitable for disabled people.,” he said.

People also need to be aware not to make disparaging remarks are use inflammatory language against disabled people that could hurt their feelings and give them low self-esteem, some people suggested.