Hope for people living with disabilities

Faith Mandizha

THE Institute of Community Development has emerged as a crucial agent of empowering people living with disabilities by breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity.

According to the organisation’s communications and advocacy officer, Kuda Chigudu, lack of financial resources is a significant obstacle to adequately address the needs of people with disabilities.

Additionally, limited access to government bodies and other institutions is a barrier to progress.

One of the organisation’s current projects is the ‘10 Point Plan for Disability Inclusion’, which promotes disability inclusion in local government policies and parliamentary engagement.

It also advocates for accessible public spaces and information packaging, such as wheelchair ramps, disability-friendly toilets, and information in braille and sign language interpretation, to enable disabled individuals to navigate their surroundings independently.

Through collaborations with stakeholders, public awareness campaigns and lobbying for policy changes, the organisation is determined to reshape societal norms and promote a more inclusive society in the country.

“Memorandums of understanding (MOUs) play a critical role in fostering collaborations between organisations, government bodies, and other stakeholders to implement policies and programmes that benefit disabled individuals.

“However, limited access to such institutions is a barrier to our progress, hindering the development of inclusive policies and initiatives,” said Chigudu.