Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
All is set for the three-day 9th edition of the National Disability Expo which is expected to start in Gweru today at Gweru Sports Club.
President Mnangagwa is expected to grace the expo on Wednesday.
Yesterday preparations for the expo were disrupted by weather conditions after it started drizzling forcing organisers and exhibitors to remove their stuff from the stands.
When a Chronicle news crew visited Gweru Sports Club, exhibitors had abandoned their stands while organisers were in closed door meetings.
Acting Midlands Province Development Coordinator Mr Jorum Chimedza said all is set for the expo.
“All is set for the expo. President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate on Wednesday,” he said.
The weather which was sunny in the morning just turned bad as it threatened to rain putting all preparations into disarray.
During the expo, stakeholders and organisations representing people with disabilities will be exhibiting products, technologies, talents, crafts and other services from the disability sector under strict Covid-19 measures.
The expo’s key focus is to enable those living with disabilities to be aware of existing technologies, equipment, aids, services and products that can allow them to live a fuller life.
The service and product providers will also have an opportunity to interact with persons with disabilities and create valuable networks.
Special Advisor on National Disability Issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Cde Joshua Malinga, in written responses, said the expo is one sure way of letting people living with disabilities (PWDs) express themselves to the nation and society at large about what they are capable of.
“In the exhibition of various disability inspired projects lessons are learnt by both the disabled and non-disabled people and society that a lot can be achieved by PWDs for as long as platforms are available for them to follow their dreams and goals. In terms of universal designs in public places and universal access to information there is still a lot that the country can still do.
“PWDs are still facing a lot of challenges as can be witnessed in certain instances like lack of sign language in public health institutions, education offering institutions and general service provision places just to highlight one aspect,” he said.
Cde Malinga said the launch of the National Disability Policy in June by President Mnangagwa spells hope and bold intent by the Government to alleviate such problems in the society since the policy speaks to such issues like need for universal designs and access.
“PWDs do continue to face a myriad of challenges right from stigma which is attached to disability up to difficulties in having meaningful means of survival. There is a myth that PWDs are only meant to survive through begging and donations since they are viewed as incapable of acquiring knowledge and skills to survive. This is a perpetual challenge faced by PWDs,” he said.
Cde Malinga said there is a need for the empowerment of PWDs so that their livelihood is enhanced.
“This can be solved through deliberate efforts to empower PWDs through skills acquisitions; a lot of challenges faced by PWDs would be alleviated. It should be noted that at the end of the day it boils down to enhancing normal day to day survival of the PWDs and their families,” he said.
The Government, he said can assist by ensuring the passing of the Persons with Disabilities Act so that any possible solutions to problems bedeviling PWDs can become enforceable legally.
This Act would complement the National Disability Policy in achieving a lot in terms of the myriad of challenges that PWDs continue to face in the country, he said.
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