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By Marlvin Ngiza
A call has been made to the government and stakeholders to channel more resources to people with disabilities for the upliftment of their livelihoods.
Buhera Residents Network Trust Coordinator Leonard Mabasa said people with disabilities have the capacity to fend for themselves if skills, knowledge, and resources are adequately availed to them.
In an interview with this publication, Mabasa highlighted that if more vocational training centers for people with disabilities are established and they are financially assisted, they can be masters of destiny.
“As prescribed by the constitution, we encourage the government to fully support people with disabilities so that they can realize their potential. They need land to do some projects. We can see that people with disabilities have different abilities to make a living on their own. We also encourage those organisations that represent people with disabilities to meaningfully contribute to the upliftment of people with disabilities especially increasing access to information whether on televisions, radios, or newspapers.
“They should continue to empower PWDs through skills and knowledge. PWDs should be given easy access and opportunities to train in vocational training centers for them to be masters of their destiny. More vocational training facilities should be built for people with disabilities. These organizations should also encourage the government to put more resources towards PWDs as a way to improve their lives. They should advocate for equal opportunities for PWDs in all spheres of life,” Mabasa said.
He added that people with disabilities also require assistance through the provision of some assistive devices for day-to-day living.
“People with disabilities also require support with some essentials such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles, and lotions depending on the type of disability,” added Mabasa.
Meanwhile, families and societies have been reprimanded for stigmatizing people with disabilities and encouraged to carry responsibility in support whenever necessary.
“As families and societies, we need to get rid of stigmatization and discrimination. It’s unfortunate that some people with disabilities are kept in secluded places where they are deprived of social interactions with others. A worrisome incident occurred at Chirozva High School where a student failed to write final examinations in 2020 because she had no birth certificate. No one supported her.
“I urge you all to encourage people with disabilities to speak out for themselves to claim and enjoy their rights. Let’s support them and give them opportunities to participate in all community activities,” Mabasa added.
The Buhera Residents Network Trust is a legally registered organization with the vision of building a peaceful, progressive, and modernized society. The Trust has many portfolios including the Persons With Disabilities Network.