Cambodia launches first radio station for disabled

Cambodia Saturday launched its first radio station to promote awareness about the rights of people with disabilities and to broaden opportunities for them in socio-economic developmental activities, officials said.

"Voice of Disabled Persons" radio station aims to promote awareness about the rights of people with disabilities and to broaden opportunities for them in socio-economic development activities, officials said.

Ngin Saoroth, executive director of the Cambodian Disabled People's Organisation, said the Phnom Penh-based radio station, the first of its kind in the country, began broadcasting at a frequency of FM 92.25 MHz to Siem Reap province and at a frequency of FM 88.75 MHz to coastal Preah Sihanouk province, Xinhua reported.

"The radio is to serve people with disabilities, particularly visually impaired people," the official said, adding that the station is financially supported by Australia through the UN Development Programme, and Abilis Foundation of Finland.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said the radio would greatly contribute to promoting greater roles for people with disabilities in socio-economic development. "This radio station belongs to disabled persons in Cambodia, and they can have their say through the radio."

According to government estimates, the country has about 301,629 people with disabilities, equivalent to 2.06 percent of the total population.