Disabled persons optimistic

Locadia Mavhudzi Herald Correspondent
PEOPLE living with disabilities are optimistic that the new political dispensation will afford them opportunities to improve their lives.

Speaking at a disability rights advocacy workshop in Gweru last week, Midlands provincial focal person for disability issues Mrs Chipo Zano said disabled people urgently need resources like land get rid themselves of the dependency syndrome.

Mrs Zano, who is from Jairos Jiri Association Narran Centre in Gweru, said they were confident that the new political dispensation, which saw the swearing-in of Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as the country’s second Executive President after Independence, will usher in change, particularly on how society and Government views people living with disabilities.

“Disability should no longer be treated like a welfare issue, but a human rights issue. We need tangible empowerment resources such as land so that we can work on for the benefit of our families and the nation. Gone are the days where we are treated as charity cases. We are hopeful and confident that the new political dispensation will work towards empowerment so that we do away with the dependency syndrome, which came as a result of being treated like charity cases,” she said.

Mrs Zano also called for non-discrimination of people with disabilities in terms of access to housing, jobs, education and health. “It’s high time we make strides as a nation to improve the welfare of people with disabilities. We need to take a leaf from the developed world where facilities in hospitals, hotels and other public spaces are friendly to the disabled people,” she said.