Online Reporter
Sione Amidu, [email protected]
NKOMWA Foundation Trust, a disability led community organisation based in Gwanda, in partnership with World Vision Zimbabwe, has embarked on a programme to capacitate Government departments and agencies in Gwanda through basic sign language training and disability awareness.
A three-day training session, which began in Gwanda town yesterday, aims to enhance inclusive governance and strengthen public service delivery by equipping officials with disability awareness and foundational sign language skills.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust director, Mr Pick Nkomwa, said the training initiative is part of broader efforts to promote inclusive service delivery across all institutions.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to plough back to key stakeholders and strengthen inclusive service delivery across public institutions. As you are aware, persons with disabilities often face communication and attitudinal barriers when accessing public services.
“Limited knowledge of disability issues and lack of basic sign language skills can unintentionally exclude members of the deaf community and other persons with disabilities from critical Government services. It is against this background that NFT, in partnership with World Vision-Gwanda Cluster, aims to offer structured disability awareness sessions together with introductory sign language training to frontline staff and interested officers within Government departments and agencies in the district,” said the official.
He also emphasised that their main objective is to promote all Government development programmes, as these directly support disability inclusion within the national economy.
“We believe that this initiative will complement Government efforts towards inclusive governance and improved public service delivery. By equipping officials with knowledge and practical skills, the district will take a significant step toward becoming more disability-inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens,” he said.
Government has already introduced disability compliant budgeting guidance and a disability identification tool to harmonise data collection, strengthen CRPD compliant governance and address nationally identified data gaps.
The National Disability Policy provides the overarching framework, and its five year Action Plan seeks to mainstream inclusion across education, healthcare, employment and social protection. The plan outlines clear roles, timelines and financing mechanisms to ensure implementation.
