Patna, Dec. 3 : Hundreds joined a rally on Wednesday in Patna city to assert the rights of children with disabilities.

The ''Handicapped Vigilant Rally'' was held on the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Organised by the Indian Institute of Health Education and Research, the rally was a part of a series of programmes spread over five days to spread awareness among the masses about differently-abled people.

It was aimed at allaying the stereotype attached to disabilities and impairment, organisers said.

"The rally has been organized to attract the attention of the society towards the children with handicaps. They are often taken for granted as burden and liabilities for the society, they are considered incapacitated,” said Anil Svalabh, an organizer of the rally.

“In my view, with a little help, besides proving that they are no burden or liability, they will join the mainstream and prove themselves at par with the normal children. We want to send the message out to change the perspective of the people," he added.

Specially and differently-abled children, at the forefront of the rally, expressed their burning desire to contribute to society.

"Through this rally we want to send the message to the society that we need our due rights to education, I like to study and I ask for our rights of education," said Puja Kumari, a visually challenged student.

The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. India has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

The Indian Census 2001 reports that 21.9 million persons (2.13%) of the country''s total population of over a billion people are disabled, and that 7 million (1.67%) disabled people are in the age-group 0-19 years. (ANI)