Zambia Federation of Disability has urged Members of Parliament (MPs to facilitate the enactment of law that will provide accessibility to public and private infrastructure by the Persons with special disabilities.
ZAFOD programs manager Mishecki Mutamba told MPs at the Breakfast meeting with parliamentarians at Mulungushi conference centre that for a long time now Persons with disabilities have suffered want on things which easily be dealt with if the law was put in place.
He said the persons with disabilities and special needs regret poor accessibility to public infrastructure not only in public but also private, including transport
He said accessibility to infrastructure can be done provided there is a good will to do so by the duty bearers
He expressed happiness that in some places, the public infrastructure are now made accessible to the Persons with disabilities.
Mutamba said the Persons with disabilities not only normal but also have the capability to do what personal with physical and mental abilities are doing save that they have challenges in certain aspects.
He said what is holding the Persons with disabilities back is lack of accessibility not only to jobs but also good infrastructure and facilities to enable them try their luck.
He said the creation of the desired law will help the Persons with disabilities to be included in the nation dialogue agenda.
He also said the MPs to cause the enactment of a law that will compel television companies to have sign language to enable the Persons with disabilities follow the proceedings.
He said the enactment of this law will guarantee inclusiveness of the marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and those with special needs.
He said the person with disabilities and those with special needs need to have an assurances that they are not alone in society.
He also recommended that the Persons with disabilities and those with special needs need to have their own budgetary allocation.