The Deaf Bulletin 2013 Issue 5

Special Edition on the International Day of Persons with Disability

“Can we achieve universal education without taking into consideration deaf children?”

A round the world, persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society. They are disproportionately represented among the world’s poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources, such as education, employment, healthcare and social and legal support systems, as well as have a higher rate of mortality. In spite of this situation, disability has remained largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda and its processes.

The observance of the International Day of Persons with Disability aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities. It seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

On the 3rd of December 2013, people living with disability commemorated The International Day of persons with Disability. Deaf Zimbabwe Trust celebrated this day through hosting a Fundraising Dinner on the 6th of December 2013 under the theme Break Barriers, Open Doors: For an Inclusive Society and Development for all.

DZT invited a number of organisations including Disabled People’s Organisations and all who those who work in the disability sector to commemorate this day. Organisations represented included WizEar, Epilepsy Foundation, Leonard Cheshire, Zimbabwe Deaf Media Trust, Transfiguration International Organisation working with people living with Albinism and PowerTel. The guest of honour for the event was Dr Chataika from the University of Zimbabwe.

Deaf Zimbabwe Trust Board chairperson in his opening remarks indicated that Deaf people face more barriers in the educational sector, the health delivery sector, labour market as well as their social lives. Above all, language is the most challenging barrier they face in all spheres of life. The hearing community has not been willing to make accommodations to create an inclusive society where people who are deaf are able to easily access information.

Therefore, the responsibility lies on the hearing community to break barriers, open doors for an inclusive society that does not discriminate and exclude people who are differently able. We are asking for an all inclusive Zimbabwe that does not segregate people because of their physical or mental disability. We are looking forward to policy makers to mainstream disability in all policy formulations and decision making processes.