25 Sep 2013

Government is worried about the national figures of people living with disability, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, said on Tuesday, September 24.

Speaking at the commemoration of the deaf awareness week in Ramotswa, Mr Masisi said according to Botswana Core Welfare Indicator Survey of 2009/10, about 12 per cent of Batswana were disabled.

Minister Masisi said the figures were too high, hence there was need for the figures to be reduced. However, he said, there was need for concerted efforts to address the problem, adding that Botswana would soon have its own disability policy which would address challenges faced by people living with disabilities. The policy would also address how to integrate them into the mainstream society.

He said people living with disabilities should be made to feel that they were part of the society, adding that any form of discrimination against them was intolerable. He added that Botswana, like other countries, was committed to protecting the rights of the deaf as well as others living with disabilities.

He also said government was committed to addressing the welfare of the deaf society and other disabled. For her part, Kgosi Mosadi of Balete said there was need for the mainstream society to reach out to the deaf community and learn their language.

Kgosi Mosadi added that it would make life easier for the deaf and other members of the society if they could communicate with easy. Chairperson of the Botswana Society for the Deaf, Mr Roy Letsatsi, said the commemoration was to raise awareness of the deaf community.

He said during the period, the deaf communities converged at different places and celebrate their success, share experiences and discuss about the challenges they come across in life. The deaf awareness week was observed globally from 23 to 27 September this year, under the theme: Equality for Deaf People. ENDS