Jakarta (ANTARA News) - First Lady Ani Yudhoyono saw off around 1,000 disabled people who participated in the relaxed walks here on Sunday in commemorating the international day of disabled persons.

The international day of the disabled persons that falls on December 3 as well as the volunteers international day were also commemorated by around 12 thousand disabled people across the country on Sunday.

In addition, the First Lady also conducted a dialog at the Radio Republic of Indonesia (RRI) relating the people`s concern on the disabled people.

The dialog was also attended by the Social Affairs Minister, Salim Segaf Aljufri, Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar and Youth and Sports minister Andi Mallarangeng.

Ani Yudhoyono on the occasion hoped that the disabled people continued to be optimistic in carrying their activities in a bid to help carry out the national development.

The RRI`s report said that as many as 12,173 handicaped people conducted the relaxed walks in 38 locations in the country.

In October this year the government and the House of Representatives` Commission VIII discussed a plan to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa expressed hope that the ratification of the Convention for the Disabled would bring about a new paradigm for the role of people with disabilities in the country.

He said after ratification of the convention, people with disabilities in Indonesia would enjoy the same rights as the rest of Indonesian citizens and better welfare.
(Uu.B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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