The seminar on childhood disability observed that only four percent of disabled children attend schools regularly.

According to an epidemiological survey report presented at the seminar, around 4.5 million children under 15 years have disability, and most of them are living in rural areas.

It recommended the involvement of local government at upazila and union levels to identify the families with disabled children and bring them under poverty reduction programmes.

Healthcare for the disabled requires financial involvement and many families are unable to get required services due to financial barriers, it added.

The seminar was told that over 17 percent children were at the risk of various kinds of disability in the country today.

It also observed that accidents and injuries were the biggest risk factors for disability in Bangladesh and other countries.

Besides, many street children, who were the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuses, also suffered from severe physical and mental health problems in the long run, the seminar observed.

It noted that doctors, primary healthcare providers and social workers were also reluctant to provide them necessary services.

The seminar felt that major political parties should include the rights of disabled children in their party manifestoes.

Speaking as chief guest at the closing ceremony at BIAM auditorium, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Shamsul Huq urged all concerned to work for making a better future for the children.

He said the children should be educated and trained properly, other wise this nation would not survive.

Director of British Council Dr June Rollinson, Coordinator of Centre for Rehabilitation of Paralysed Valerie Taylor, Father Brenden O'Connell, Dr Naila Zaman Khan and Dr Selina Husna Banu also spoke.

National Professor Dr M R Khan was the special guest at the closing session chaired by Zebunnesa Rahman.

More than 40 representatives from different countries attended the seminar and held brain storming discussion over different issues related to disability.

They also decided to form a South Asian regional network on childhood disability for gathering information and sharing experiences.