รายละเอียดกระทู้

Editorial Cartoon By Editor http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=59392 A lot of initiatives are being taken to integrate people living with disability more fully into mainstream society. In many societies, this group is becoming a large minority with diverse needs which must be given priority. According to the UN, around 10 per cent of the world’s population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world’s largest minority. People with disabilities face myriad challenges such as abuse, lack of education, illiteracy, and unemployment. But around the world abounds examples of many who are proving that disability is not inability by humbling those who thought of them as burdens and charity cases. In Tanzania, it is estimated around 4.5 million people live with disability. This is indeed a large minority in our country, who deserve, not the occasional reminder of a presence, but a consistent inclusion in whatever we do as a country. We acknowledge that in Tanzania we have at times witnessed activities aimed at addressing their situation. They are initiated in many cases by charity organizations, NGOs and individuals whose conscience has been pricked by the seeming neglect of this group. In Tanzania we have recently had the opportunity to witness the unique and focused efforts by Canadian Peter Ash and his organisation Under the Same Sun to help people with albinism in the country. Not only have the organisation’s efforts been directed at fighting for their security, but has taken a number of measures to address their education and health needs. We know that a number of organizations work quietly to make a difference for the people living with disability and we salute them for their contribution to enhancing the lives of this group. But it is true that we are yet to see such concerted efforts replicated so as to not only change their circumstance, but also the way society perceives them and caters to their needs. How friendly is the country’s infrastructure to people with disability? Sadly only a few seem to have had in mind this group at the planning stage of the facilities, be they office buildings, sidewalks, transport systems or other public conveniences such as toilets and lifts. We know the law is there and so are numerous regulations that seek to ensure people with disability are always given due recognition and equal right in accessing public facilities. We are talking about setting in process a turnaround in mindsets, so that the people with disability in our midst do not feel left out or held down by their disabilities. And while efforts continue to highlight the needs of this group in the country, it is noteworthy that relevant authorities keep abreast of the various initiatives being taken around the world to enhance the lives of people with disability and adopt those relevant to our situation. For example a World Bank expert pointed out sometime back that ICTs provide a model to allow people with disability to better integrate socially and economically into their communities. “Internet allows those with disabilities to organise and network. Perhaps most importantly, technology is slowly transforming the education sector by providing greater access to a variety of learning materials,” said the expert. We need more of such inclusive thoughts and actions.