Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Royal Banquet Hall.
A documentary on Special Needs, produced upon the Royal Command of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, was launched as part of the celebration. The documentary explores the opportunitiesthat are available to people living with disabilities in Bhutan and encourages parents of children with disabilities to seek support from various organisations.
In his opening remarks at the event, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, the chairperson of Ability Bhutan Society, suggested that facilities to assist people living with disabilities could be treated as one of the priorities in public service policies of the Royal Government as part of the celebrations for the 60th Birth Anniversary of HIs Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
“It is timely, if not too late, that we call on the Royal Government of Bhutan to put in place an enabling legal environment including mandatory screening of planned activities to ensure at the earliest the eradication of barriers by making our country an inclusive and a liveable place (for persons with disabilities)”, he said.
Parents and persons living with disabilities shared stories of their experiences, which was followed by performances by members of Draktsho and Disabled Persons Association of Bhutan.
A music video album composed and directed by DPAB music group was also launched at the event. The album was dedicated to the 60th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen is the Royal Patron of Ability Bhutan Society, which was inaugurated in 2012 by Her Majesty.
Special Needs Documentary- A Queen’s Project Production
The Documentary on people living with disabilities was produced upon the Royal Command of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen as an undertaking of the Queen’s Project with participation of the Royal Office for Media.
The documentary, under the vision and guidance of Her Majesty, was made to raise awareness about people living with disabilities, to encourage families to seek help from the many organizations and agencies that provide support and care, and to enable persons with special needs to be included as active members of our society.