By Tatenda Mujyi
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has sought an active role in understanding the challenges faced by the disabled as it seeks more inclusive societies.
“The church has an important role to play in addressing the challenges faced by the disabled population who are argued to be 15 % of the population by the research. The church has a unifying function within society and there is need for the church to be central in the inclusion of everyone.” ZCC General Secretary, Rev Dr Mtata said.
The research noted the need for Government to facilitate the overhaul implementation of infrastructural change’s that fully incorporated the disabled.
“There is need for government and private companies to fully embrace the needs of the disabled through establishing disability sensitive infrastructure across the board as this remains a key access issue for the disabled.” Ronald Nare a research consultant with ZCC said.
The research realized lack of and little policy and legislative knowledge by most sectors on the key issues affecting the disabled as a major impediment.
“There is great lack of knowledge on the legislative and policy issue that affect the disabled. This has been central in the seclusion of the disabled and there is need to rectify this and see to the inclusion of disabled people with churches standing central in the whole process.” Tsepang Nare ZCC research consultant said.
The research commended standing efforts by the church to improve the circumstances of the disabled while commending the full consideration of addressing existent challenges of the disabled.
“The research is commended as it played an important role in adding a voice on the challenges that are faced by members and community members who are disabled considering the central role the church plays in shaping communities.” Prof Tsitsi Chataika a UZ lecturer and consultant in the research.
The media were viewed as a key stakeholder in availing a discussion platform for the disability issues as they reported and availed information on the report’s perspectives.
“We could look at it from a sectoral approach as, the media becomes a key ally in shaping out the key outcomes of the report with the media standing central in cascading the issues that were realized and commending successes and rectifying challenges.” Masimba Kuchera said
Disability remains a key issue in the inclusion debacle with the research carried out through the input of over 1000 respondents in an online survey that sought both qualitative and quantitative data techniques to fully understand the circumstances of the disabled.
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