Written by Frankline Bwire 2012-04-29 12:39:00 Read 516 Times

National Director for the Physically Disabled of Kenya Walter Odhiambo has challenged the government to addres the issue of mobility which has remained a barrier to disabled persons in the country. Photo I Frankline Bwire.

The government has been urged to address the challenge of mobility affecting persons with disabilities to ensure they fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

National Director for the Physically Disabled of Kenya Walter Odhiambo said budgetary constraints have made it difficult for most of them to afford the wheel chairs and tri-cycles making it hard for them to access opportunities.

“As much as the new constitution is starting to look at the persons with disability, the issue of access is still a big problem,” he said, adding that there is need for the disabled persons to move, interact and participate fully in the society.

Odhiambo expressed concern that education to the disabled persons was also a serious challenge despite being a vital tool in job industry.

“The environment and attitude from students and teachers is not friendly to them a move that has seen most of them drop out of school,” said the director.

He also added that most of the facilities available in local schools were not friendly to the disabled persons following the design.

The chairman of the disabled persons in Funyula constituency Nicholas Juma called on the disabled individuals from Western region to work together and embrace unity to address issues affecting them in the society.

“Let us work together to address our issues of concern in effort to improve our lives,” he said. 

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