STATE URGED TO CONSIDER PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

PERSONS with disabilities in NorthWestern Province say they expect Government to consider them in various areas in the 2023 national budget.

Provincial coordinator for the community-based Inclusive Development Network which operates under the Norwegian Association for the Disabled Emmanuel Samu said in an interview the government should consider them in terms of infrastructure and empowerment that speaks to their needs.

Mr Samu said the budget should not just be inclusive but that it should be indicative in terms of percentage.

“The budget should be clear in terms of percentage and amount allocated towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities,” said Mr Samu.

He said the organisation would like to see enough allocations of funds that support them especially for empowerment, employment and infrastructure.

He said this will motivate and encourage persons with disabilities to take part in matters of national development.

Mr Samu said many are the times when persons with disabilities are disadvantaged due to their stature.

‘”And this can also be attributed to lack of clear policy on the allocation of funds, so in most cases we are disadvantaged,” he said.

In terms of infrastructure, Mr Samu said they want to see schools that are accessible by persons with disabilities.

He said he would like to see programmes supporting children with special needs in school.

“For example many schools for special education do not even deserve to be called that because the infrastructure, the environment itself is not something that is pleasing,” Mr Samu said.