PERSONS with disabilities (PWDs) have called for inclusivity during the ongoing amendment of the Disabled Persons Bill to ensure that their needs are catered for.
In an interview on the sidelines of a PWDs representatives’ validation workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches over the weekend, Senator Ishmael Zhou said a lot needed to be aligned to what is presently on the ground regarding the welfare of people in his constituency.
He called for more public awareness programmes on the Bill.
“There are some people with disabilities who are bedridden and who may need to get State-assisted personal assistance. The Bill must also cover such important benefits to the citizens who have disabilities,” he said.
Zhou said the role of the disability consultation was to get information at all levels of governance.
Speaking during the workshop, Zimbabwe National League of the Blind co-ordinator for Mberengwa district, Paul Gumbo said the law must help to eliminate the PWDs’ dependency and begging syndrome through promoting income-generating projects.
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“There are many programmes on farming and various income-generating projects we feel left out, but we also want to take part so that we are able to provide for ourselves. The Bill must look at such issues so as to give us some form of financial freedom,” he said.
Disability consultant Tsepang Nare decried the limited participation of PWDs at platforms that discuss their issues.
“Our participation is limited and will continue to be if we don’t have that particular Bill. Also, parties (political) are not willing to include PWDs on the issue of devolution.
“We look forward to having at least one minister of devolution with a disability. There are less than 15 local authorities with a disability policy.
“There is a lot that needs to be done. We are driving the mantra of inclusive education, but how many schools have resources to teach disabled children?” he rhetorically asked.
Only two PWDs are representing the constituency in Parliament.