Call for attitudinal change towards the physically challenged

14-05-2011
A Physically challenged person resident in Bawku, Christopher Ali, has advocated for attitudinal change towards the physically challenged in society. He said the present way of catering for the category of people particularly the mentally challenged raises a lot of concern since they are always look down upon, thereby putting them under public ridicule. He was however not happy about the way people with disability are treated explaining that their neglect by society affects their livelihood and comes with dire consequences. Mr. Ali expressed these sentiments in an interview with Radio Ghana at Mirigu in the Kassena-Nankana East District of the Upper East Region. According to him, terminologies use on persons with disability tend to put them under public ridicule, stressing that most persons living with disabilities do not like the term "handicap" because of a belief that it originally meant someone who could not work and went begging with their cap in hand. Moreover, the term "disabled persons" might be misinterpreted to imply that the ability of the individual to function as a person has been disabled. He described such words as unacceptable since persons with disabilities are capable of exhibiting their God given talents if they are accorded the available opportunities given to persons without any form of impairment. Mr. Ali disclosed that Persons with disabilities suffer from discrimination based on society's prejudice and ignorance. The situation, he lamented, makes them poor and vulnerable in society. In addition, they often do not enjoy the same opportunities as other people because of the lack of access to essential services such as health care. He said even though the International human rights law stipulates that every person has the right of equality before law, the right to non discrimination, the right to equal opportunity, and the right to independent living among others, their plight are continuously ignored and abused in society. He therefore stressed the need for a multi faceted approach towards taking care of persons with disabilities in the country. Mr. Ali later used the opportunity to appeal to the various municipal and district assemblies to make available the 2 percent disability fund allocated to persons with disabilities to help ensure their total survival. He also urged them to extend the gesture for the upkeep of the mentally challenged to improve their condition. The public were also challenged to give attention and support to persons with disabilities to make them feel part of the society.
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