The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is stepping up efforts to provide assistive devices to People With Disabilities (PWDs) in a move aimed at eliminating environmental and attitudinal barriers that hinder their participation in economic, social and political life, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of assistive devices for PWDs at Nerutanga Primary School in Buhera District, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, said: “From a Human Rights perspective, the provision of assistive devices will in a way eliminate environmental and attitudinal barriers that hinder the participation of PWDs in economic, social and political life of their communities. Thus, the lives of PWDs beneficiaries present here will never be the same again.”
He urged the nation to mainstream disability in all sectors of the economy.
“I strongly urge Government ministries, Local Government representatives, traditional leaders and development partners to mainstream and include disability each time they develop policies, legislations and development programmes.
“In pursuit of the National Disability Inclusion Agenda, my ministry is walking the talk by employing PWDs to occupy key strategic decision-making positions and this has been clearly demonstrated by the recruitment of Dr Edmos Mtetwa, Chief Director-Department of Social Development and Department of Disability Affairs and Mr Shumba Nyeperayi, Deputy Director in the Department of Disability Affairs.
“This has found expression in the appointment of the above mentioned in line with the core principles of bureaucratic representation,” he said.
Professor Mavima said PWDs have acquitted themselves well whenever they have been appointed in key positions.
“This also includes a number of social workers with disabilities deployed in various districts and communities throughout the country. In my view, the outstanding performance of the above stated managers clearly demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that disability does not mean inability.
“The provision of assistive devices signal a paradigm shift where PWDs should not be perceived as recipients of charity and philanthropy, but vehicles for development,” said Professor Mavima.
PWDs gathered at Nerutanga Primary School received a wide range of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, collapsible white canes, prosthesis including Artificial limbs, spectacles, crutches and sunscreen lotions used by persons with albinism.
The theme of the event was: “Promoting Independent Living through the provision of Assistive devices”.
