Kathmandu, Aug 7: Recently, Kathmandu University has opened up a Disability Research Centre with an aim  to promote and seek new knowledge about disability in children and adults. Alongwith the impacts of disabilities on children, individuals and families will be studied in the newly launched research centre.
Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University, Dr Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, launched the Research Centre and its website during a stakeholder workshop on disability. It was attended by various organizations working in the field of disability, as well as representatives from governmental and non governmental agencies.
The Centre based at the School of Arts of Kathmandu University also aims  to promote evaluation and efficacy of different policies on differently able persons and interventions and support methods, according to a press statement.
On the same occasion, Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal of the National Planning Commission stressed the need for society to be more sensitized on the special needs of persons with disability as well as the ‘diversity’ of disability.
She said,“The government has started many programmes for the benefit of persons with disabilities including disability audit of public buildingsâ€. “It takes just one percent extra budget to make physical infrastructures disabled-friendlyâ€, She added.
Fuether,highlighting the commitment to make Kathmandu University disabled-friendly, Â Dr Makaju Shrestha said that the varsity would work together with the government and other stakeholders to change the mindset of people regarding disability.
Similarly, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nepal, Dr Rowank Khan, pointed out that UNICEF was at the forefront on disability work, working with the government and other partners to ensure that the daily lives of persons with disabilities could be improved.
