Govt urged to invest in young people with disabili...

Govt urged to invest in young people with disabilities

Audrey Galawu

As the nation celebrated National Youth Day, the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust lamented the lack of educational opportunities for young people with disabilities in the country.

DZT said the country is still struggling and lagging behind in terms of being inclusive for people with disabilities.

There needs to be deliberate investment in young persons with disabilities’ rights, education and health for development.

The organisation said young people with disabilities should be empowered to become active citizens who are able to shape the future of their community.

“On the 21st of February 2024, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust joined the rest of Zimbabwe in celebrating the National Youth Day, a day that honours the vital role played by young persons in nation building and shaping the future.

“In any nation, the youth represent the most vital and energetic element of the population and government should encourage and promote their full and active participation in all spheres of life.

“Young persons, and in particular those with disabilities, have potential to bring about positive change and make a significant contribution to society. They need to be given the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes and have their voices heard.

“The national youth day should symbolise more than just a commemoration, it should embody a paradigm shift in young persons with disabilities to a proudly able mindset, which should be supported by a meaningful investment by government and other stakeholders in the disability sector to ensure full participation,” DZT said.

Most young people with disabilities are failing to access education due to schools and institutions of learning that are not inclusive, which has contributed to the high levels of illiteracy among youths with disabilities.

The organisation also lamented the costs of assistive devices which are high, limiting access and consequently the participation of young people with disabilities in national development processes.

“Illiteracy restricts access to employment opportunities, continuing the cycle of poverty. The inability to read instructions, operate machinery or manage finances effectively decreases individuals’ chances of securing well-paying jobs and achieving financial stability.

“Most of the infrastructure in the country and in particular, government facilities are not accessible. This has resulted in most young people shying away from these facilities hindering their full participation in activities held in these facilities.

“Lack of relevant assistive technology in terms of adaptive and rehabilitative devices. Assistive devices are external devices that are designed, made or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task. Many people with disabilities depend on assistive devices to enable them to carry out daily activities and participate actively and productively in community life,” DZT added.