24 Nov 2019

The International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) helps promote rights of people living  with disabilities.

Speaking during Disability Day in Francistown, Mr Dean Rasegojwa said IDPWD was also intended to make sure that environmental and societal barriers were identified to enable all to work together to overcome them.

Mr Rasegojwa said people living with disabilities (PLWDs) were optimistic that government was committed to ensuring that PLWDs were included in issues of national interest.

Mr Rasegojwa said one aspect that they anticipated was for the general citizenship to afford them respect, rights and support in all endeavours so that they could showcase their abilities in all areas of life.

“This on its own will enable us as the globe to realize the term which strongly advocates for the future that is accessible,” he said that colleagues in the world of disability should not despair and must strive for their recognition, rights, future and their share in the economy.

He said that their future could only be accessible when they change their mindset and approaches to the challenges they faced on daily lives and also accept themselves as special people.

Meanwhile, the deputy Town Clerk Ms Gofentsemang Chabane said the objectives of the day were to support PLWD to get their self-respect, right welfare and security in the society.

Ms Chabane said the other objectives were to address all the issues of people with disability in all aspects of life and to analyze whether the rules and regulations implemented by government and International Organisations like the United Nations were functioning.

Also to assist PLWD with proper rehabilitation, offer equal opportunities, lessen poverty and encourage their role in the society and focus on the health, well-being, education and social dignity of PLWD, she said.

Giving a motivational talk, Mr Baeletsi Lebesani said ‘disability is not in-ability’ and as such PLWD could do everything that a normal bodied person does.

He urged PLWD to venture into what their heart desired and showcase their capabilities to the outside world. ENDS