DISABILITY INCLUSION
Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society and making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires.
The general public does not understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities to exercise their basic human rights to live their independent lives. Lack of accessible infrastructures, public facilities, and inclusive policies prevent them from participating at par with their non-disabled peers.
The Peer Educators Academy is a milestone for inclusion by RAHU. Accessible venue and strengthening the campaign to change attitudes – barriers that could hinder people with disabilities from being included in the life of being a super-peer educator.
Definitely, the work for disability inclusion should go beyond hosting them in a peer educator’s academy. It needs a continuous sustained effort involving even government down to the village level working together with people with disabilities
Peer Educators Academy has gone ahead to empower people with disabilities with knowledge, skills, exposure that they go on to pass their peers to feel included of course facilitated by Reach a hand Uganda
Disability Movements in Uganda
Uganda is praised to be one of the champions in sub-Saharan Africa for advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities (katsui and Kumpuvouri 2008: Lang and Murangira 2009:18 -24), with their rights incorporated in the national legal framework. This includes the 1995 constitution which recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to attain full mental and physical potential as well as the development of the 2006 National policy on Disability
Several laws have been established in the National Legal Framework to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) as seen below
The 1996 Children’s Statute for early assessment of disabilities amongst children to achieve early treatment, rehabilitation, and education.
The 1997 Local Government Act established representation of PWDs at all local government levels for both males and females
The Parliamentary Elections Statute of 1996 established five positions in parliament of which one of them must be a woman and recognized the use of sign language for the deaf in parliament ( International Labour Organization ILO ) 20024:6, Republic of Uganda 2006:12
The 1997 Uganda Communication Act for the development of techniques and technologies to ensure communication services for the PWDs and the 1997 Universal Primary Education Act demands families to give CWDs priority at enrollment
The 1998 UNISE Act, for the establishment of the Uganda National Institute of Education for Special Teacher training for children with disabilities
Others include the special allocation of university scholarships for the persons with disabilities through affirmative action and the right to assets including land ( Hancock and Nixon 2009: Katsui and Kumpuvouri 2008: Lang and Murangira 2009:17, Republic of Uganda 2006:11 – 12 )
Internationally Uganda is a signatory to several international pieces of legislation advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities including the 2008 United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and the 1983 International Labour Organization Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of disabled persons ( ILO 2004:8: Lang and Murangira 2009:5).
Conclusion.
Productive and decent work enables people with disabilities to realize their aspirations, improve their living conditions and participate more actively in society.
Ensuring disability perspective in all aspects of policy and labor legislation, effective implementation and enforcement of existing disability laws and policies, and providing for equal employment opportunities and training are among the factors that contribute to the reduction of poverty and to the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities in Uganda.
Nasaka Sophia
Peer Educator
Reach a hand Uganda.
