President Muizzu Links Economic Empowerment to True Disability Inclusion

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that genuine societal inclusion for persons with disabilities is fundamentally dependent on equitable access and strong economic empowerment. He reinforced his administration's commitment to upholding their dignity and rights in a message marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In his address, the President connected these principles to the Islamic faith, which he said mandates treating all individuals with dignity and equality. He highlighted this year's theme, "Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress," as a direct call to fully integrate persons with disabilities into all levels of society to build responsive communities. Outlining the government's strategic approach, President Muizzu said policies are focused on early identification and empowerment. As a sign of tangible progress, he pointed to the creation of over 300 employment opportunities for persons with disabilities this year, signaling a deliberate move toward fostering economic independence. While acknowledging that challenges remain—particularly concerning physical accessibility and access to information—the President assured the public that the government is actively working to dismantle these barriers to build a more resilient society. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to families, non-governmental organisations, and volunteers for their tireless efforts in enriching the lives of persons with disabilities. In a further announcement on his official X account, President Muizzu revealed the launch of a specialized teacher-training programme for students with special learning needs. He also detailed the government's comprehensive action plan dedicated to protecting disability rights, underscoring a commitment to realizing every individual's full potential. Echoing this sentiment, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed also advocated for enhanced support and the systematic removal of daily life barriers for persons with disabilities on her official social media account.