DODOMA:THE government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities are fully involved in national development through the implementation of international conventions, policies and laws, which aim at protecting their rights.
Opening a stakeholders’ workshop on the implementation of policies, guidelines and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Dodoma recently, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr James Kilabuko said Tanzania has ratified various regional and international accords to promote equal rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in development.
He said the country has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) alongside other international agreements, demonstrating the government’s determination to ensure no one is left behind in the country’s development journey.
Dr Kilabuko was speaking on Monday during the opening of the workshop that brought together various stakeholders to discuss inclusive services for persons with disabilities.
He said the government continues to recognise the contribution of persons with disabilities to national development by creating an enabling environment through policies, laws, plans and strategies that guarantee equal rights, opportunities and quality services similar to those enjoyed by other citizens.
According to him, the efforts include implementation of the National Policy on Disability of 2004 and the Persons with Disabilities Act No 9 of 2010, as well as various regulations and guidelines aimed at removing barriers hindering their full participation in social, economic and political activities.
However, Dr Kilabuko noted that despite the progress achieved, several challenges still affect the implementation of inclusive services for persons with disabilities.
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He cited the challenges as limited awareness on inclusion issues, lack of inclusive services in some sectors and difficulties in implementing policies and laws at different levels, calling for greater cooperation among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of the department responsible for persons with disabilities in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Wambura Kizito, said the meeting aimed to bring together stakeholders providing services to persons with disabilities to discuss the best ways of implementing inclusive services.
She said many services still fail to adequately accommodate persons with disabilities due to environmental and communication barriers.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholder organisations, Sight Saver Tanzania Programme Manager Edwin Maleko commended the government for its efforts and pledged continued cooperation to achieve positive outcomes for society.