Disabled Federation urges the Government to act

THE National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) is frustrated that Government is lagging behind with the implementation of policies and international conventions that should lead to a broader representation of its members.

Gerson Mutendere of the NFPDN told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitution and Legal Affairs on Thursday that there are 85 000 Namibians with disabilities who have a right to be included in society, at the workplace and in decision-making. “I sit in a wheelchair and we were invited to this hearing, but you held the meeting in the ‘Pink Room’, which is situated on the mezzanine floor, so that I had to be carried up the stairs,” Mutendere said.”Why did you not hold it in another committee room, which can be accessed with a wheelchair?” he asked.The Committee was assigned to receive input from people with disabilities after Parliamentarian Alexia Manombe-Ncube, herself disabled, tabled a motion in the National Assembly a few months ago.Manombe-Ncube requested the House to ratify an international convention which requires UN member countries to adapt their national laws to encourage participation of disabled people at all levels.The motion was referred to the Standing Committee.Mutendere also proposed that the directorate dealing with disabled people, which falls under the Health and Social Services Ministry, should be relocated to the Office of the President or that of the Prime Minister.The Committee will hold further talks with interested parties before reporting back to Parliament.”I sit in a wheelchair and we were invited to this hearing, but you held the meeting in the ‘Pink Room’, which is situated on the mezzanine floor, so that I had to be carried up the stairs,” Mutendere said.”Why did you not hold it in another committee room, which can be accessed with a wheelchair?” he asked.The Committee was assigned to receive input from people with disabilities after Parliamentarian Alexia Manombe-Ncube, herself disabled, tabled a motion in the National Assembly a few months ago.Manombe-Ncube requested the House to ratify an international convention which requires UN member countries to adapt their national laws to encourage participation of disabled people at all levels.The motion was referred to the Standing Committee.Mutendere also proposed that the directorate dealing with disabled people, which falls under the Health and Social Services Ministry, should be relocated to the Office of the President or that of the Prime Minister.The Committee will hold further talks with interested parties before reporting back to Parliament.