According to the foundation, there are at least 57,321 disabled people in 14 districts of the country.

Of them, 27,854 people live in eight districts of Dhaka division, 18,361 people in three districts of Rajshahi division, 6,249 people in one district of Khulna division, 3,869 people in one district of Sylhet division and 988 people in one district of Chittagong division.

The figures are part of an ongoing survey by the foundation and give only a glimpse of the total picture in the country.

The actual number of disabled people in different areas of the country will be much higher, said the foundation.

Those working for the disabled whether in government or non-government organisations strongly believe that the disabled people need a little help rather than pity to get established in society, said M Ishaque Bhuiyan, managing director of the foundation.

He said they can be turned into active manpower if they are given proper opportunity.

The government has recently ordered for separate ticket counters for disabled people in all train stations, bus terminals, river ports and airports.

It has also ordered to keep certain number of seats reserved for them in all type of public transports.

Besides, to ease the plight of disabled people, ramp will be made at all government offices to move smoothly with wheel chair," the deputy director of the foundation said.

He said two disabled persons have already got appointment as resource teachers in social service department under the social welfare ministry.

According to the NGO Action on Disability and Development, 1.40 crore people in the country are disabled either physically or mentally.

Different government and non-government organisations took elaborate programmes in observance of the International Disability Day yesterday.