Physically challenged urged to get registered

THE Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has advised people living with disabilities who have attained tertiary education qualifications to register with the agency for them to obtain disabilities certificates.

ZAPD Copperbelt Province coordinator Antony Mwansa said the certificates would help persons living with disabilities to get into employment easily.

He was speaking in an interview in Nola at the weekend.

Mr Mwansa noted that it was difficult for persons living with disabilities to get employed without certification from the agency.

He added that employment opportunities for people with disabilities had increased due to Government's inclusiveness policy.

"The inclusiveness policy laid down by government has made it easier for persons living with disabilities to get employed, especially if they have disabilities certification. It is therefore important for those with tertiary education qualifications to come and register with us," he said.

And Mr Mwansa appealed to Government departments to always ensure that they reserved 10 percent of the vacancies for the disabled whenever they were recruiting.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Education had taken a lead by advertising that 10 percent of all positions offered would be offered to persons with disabilities.

He said there was need for the law to be enforced on the 10 percent policy so that persons living with disabilities could obtain well-paying jobs as well.

Mr Mwansa noted that there was need for both Government and private institutions to be educated on the need to reserve employment for persons with disabilities.