Budget should address disability issues

Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter

SOME Government contracts should be awarded to entities owned by people with disabilities as a way of empowering them and enhancing their contribution to national development.

This came out of a workshop organised by the Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust and Signs of Hope Trust in Harare on Tuesday.

Mr Brian Sithole, a board member with the Zimbabwe Youth Council said it was important for Government to empower people living with disabilities.

“Government has initiated a number of development projects in several sectors which are being done by local companies like in road construction, so it’s important to factor in the contribution of PWDs in such projects by setting aside some projects for them.

“At the end of the day it should not be what we are being given in terms of assistance but what we can also contribute to the economy,” he said.

Mr Taurai Chako, the lead consultant with the Disabilities and Development Pathways said PWDs were 9,2 percent of the population with the majority of them, 74 percent, living in rural areas.

“It is therefore important that as we come up with our budgets, we come up with budgets that target them and their needs in the areas that they live,” he said.

It was important to put a cost in the implementation of the National Disability Policy so that their needs are better addressed.

Ms Tendai Dondofema, a social worker with the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust, said it was also important for Government to improve facilities at public institutions to cater for the disabled.

“Inclusion is very important for people living with disabilities. There is a need for equality especially public centres that cater, for example, deaf people. There is a need for a budget for sign language interpreters for deaf people in places like hospitals,” she said.

Treasury was also called on to come up with incentives that encourage local production of assistive devices used by PWDs, especially at the innovation hubs established at universities and colleges.