By Karen Mkwate
Director of Young Voices Disabilities of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Ivory Coast, Nyasha Mahwende has said people living with disabilities face life challenges because of limitations in realizing their constitutional rights.
Mahwende said people with disabilities (PWD) face discrimination, segregation and are often neglected and as a marginalized group they are rarely considered in development activities.
“We have a lot of needs and desires for our life to flow but we find out that we are being deprived of our rights because of the limitations that comes with the constitutional rights,’ she said.
“The government is supposed help the disabled to give them access to medical, psychological and functional treatment but many children that need wheelchairs are crawling to school.”
She said council should take into consideration the needs of the crippled and blind before approving plans for public buildings because they cannot climb upstairs on their own.
“As people with disabilities we are not being considered when buildings are being constructed especially those of government are actually written “If Resources Permit” meaning it only accommodates those that can climb stairs,’ she said.
“Sometimes the ministers’ offices will be upstairs yet I have private and confidential information that I need to take it to him myself, but because I am disabled I can’t whereas sending someone he or she might deliver the information distorted.”
Experts have said consideration of people living with disabilities is key as it creates inclusivity and removal of barriers which is key to development.
