Rumphi district disability coordinator Oliver Gondwe has asked authorities in the district to include persons with disabilities in different sectors.

He said this on Saturday during the commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disability organised by Mzuzu Diocese of the Catholic Church at Chanyoli Primary School.

Lungu: We will train service providers

Gondwe said their absence is promoting inequality because there is no one to advocate for the cause of persons with disabilities.

“There should be representation in these committees to remind duty-bearers about equality and inclusion,” he said.

Rumphi district social welfare officer Zindaba Lungu also bemoaned low representation of people with disabilities in the district’s service committees.

He said out of the seven committees in the district, only the education one has inclusive membership.

“While out of 17 area development committees in the district, only one has a member with physical challenges,” said Lungu.

“The district is planning to train service providers, including healthcare workers, on how to serve people with disabilities.

“If people with hearing or speech impairment go to hospital, it is difficult to communicate with them, so we need to teach service providers sign language,” said Lungu.

Mzuzu Diocese education coordinator Remmy Kamanga said the diocese wants to promote inclusive education in the district.

According to the Social Welfare Office, Rumphi has at least 33 000 people with disabilities.

The post ‘Include people with disabilities in committees’ first appeared on The Nation Online.

The post ‘Include people with disabilities in committees’ appeared first on The Nation Online.