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Unit 19 Lesson 5
The disabled among us
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• read a text giving information on the disabled in Bangladesh
• answered some questions
• supplied substitute words
• transferred information to a given format
A Read the following.
"Oh! Tell me what is that thing called light, which I must never enjoy
What sort of person may have made the above statement? Why do you think so?
B Now read the text below.
Current statistics show that about 10% of the total population of Bangladesh arc disabled. In terms of absolute number, it is about 13 million people. It is more alarming to note that, with the increase in population, each year another 2,40,000 to 2,60,000 more disabled people join the already existing 13 million. It is
important to realise that many of these disabilities might have been prevented if
there had been health awareness and timely intervention. Lack of knowledge
about, disabilities as well as fear and superstition result in negative attitudes
towards the disabled. As a result, many of these people have little or no access to
basic rights like education and employment.
Work with your partner and answer these questions.
1 What do you understand by the word "disabled"?
2 Give some examples of disabilities that you see commonly around you.
3 What negative attitudes towards disabled persons have you noticed?
4 Narrate an incident (real or imaginary) involving a disabled person who has been a victim of negative attitudes.
C Work with your partner and replace the underlined words with another word in the sentences below.
1 Current statistics show that about 10% of the total population of Bangladesh arc disabled.
2 With the increase in population, the number of disabled people also rises.
3 It is important to note that many of these disabilities might have been prevented.
4 Lack of knowledge results in negative attitudes.
5 As a result, they have little or no access to basic rights like education and employment.
D In pairs read this text and then transfer the information to the chart below it.
In 1982 the United Nations took up the cause of people with disabilities and declared 1983-1992 the Decade of the Disabled Person. The aim was to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and their full participation in families, communities and countries. In 1992 the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific proclaimed 1993 - 2002 the Asian and Pacific Decade of the Disabled Person. The proclamation of the second decade was needed as the first decade of 1983 - 1992 had not brought much change to the lives of people with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. The United Nations declared December 3rd the International Day for the Disabled. Recognising the severity of the situation, Bangladesh has declared the first Wednesday of April, the National Day for People with Disabilities.
Year
1982 Event
United recognised the needs of disabled people To improve the conditions of the disabled
To improve the conditions of the disabled
E You are a member of a youth organisation. In groups, plan a programme to raise awareness about the disabled among the public.
Focus:
Skills.
Intensive
reading,
writing, speaking. Functions.
Talking about social inequalities, stating purpose.
Grammar/Structure.
Words with similar meanings,
past tense.
Vocabulary.
alarming, superstition, access, opportunities,
current.
This text will be replaced
Unit 19 Lesson 5
The disabled among us
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• read a text giving information on the disabled in Bangladesh
• answered some questions
• supplied substitute words
• transferred information to a given format
A Read the following.
"Oh! Tell me what is that thing called light, which I must never enjoy
What sort of person may have made the above statement? Why do you think so?
B Now read the text below.
Current statistics show that about 10% of the total population of Bangladesh arc disabled. In terms of absolute number, it is about 13 million people. It is more alarming to note that, with the increase in population, each year another 2,40,000 to 2,60,000 more disabled people join the already existing 13 million. It is
important to realise that many of these disabilities might have been prevented if
there had been health awareness and timely intervention. Lack of knowledge
about, disabilities as well as fear and superstition result in negative attitudes
towards the disabled. As a result, many of these people have little or no access to
basic rights like education and employment.
Work with your partner and answer these questions.
1 What do you understand by the word "disabled"?
2 Give some examples of disabilities that you see commonly around you.
3 What negative attitudes towards disabled persons have you noticed?
4 Narrate an incident (real or imaginary) involving a disabled person who has been a victim of negative attitudes.
C Work with your partner and replace the underlined words with another word in the sentences below.
1 Current statistics show that about 10% of the total population of Bangladesh arc disabled.
2 With the increase in population, the number of disabled people also rises.
3 It is important to note that many of these disabilities might have been prevented.
4 Lack of knowledge results in negative attitudes.
5 As a result, they have little or no access to basic rights like education and employment.
D In pairs read this text and then transfer the information to the chart below it.
In 1982 the United Nations took up the cause of people with disabilities and declared 1983-1992 the Decade of the Disabled Person. The aim was to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and their full participation in families, communities and countries. In 1992 the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific proclaimed 1993 - 2002 the Asian and Pacific Decade of the Disabled Person. The proclamation of the second decade was needed as the first decade of 1983 - 1992 had not brought much change to the lives of people with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. The United Nations declared December 3rd the International Day for the Disabled. Recognising the severity of the situation, Bangladesh has declared the first Wednesday of April, the National Day for People with Disabilities.
Year
1982 Event
United recognised the needs of disabled people To improve the conditions of the disabled
To improve the conditions of the disabled
E You are a member of a youth organisation. In groups, plan a programme to raise awareness about the disabled among the public.
Focus:
Skills.
Intensive
reading,
writing, speaking. Functions.
Talking about social inequalities, stating purpose.
Grammar/Structure.
Words with similar meanings,
past tense.
Vocabulary.
alarming, superstition, access, opportunities,
current.