Persons with disabilities need assistive devices for social inclusion

Participants at a major conference on disability have argued strongly for persons with disabilities in Ghana to access assistive devices and technologies for their societal inclusion.

The use of such technologies helps improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by increasing access to schools, employment, community activities and other services.

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba, acknowledged the slow progress on the inclusion of persons with disability.

She however says the government remains committed to ensuring the full economic and social inclusion of PWDs to become persons overcoming disabilities. 

“Assistive technology though quite common in the Western world is quite inaccessible in Ghana and it’s very expensive for average people to have it… so I will urge the College of Health Sciences and the Engineering Department [KNUST] to link up with the Ministry of Trade in partnership with the One-District-One-Factory for we ourselves to begin to create and develop assistive devices in Ghana and Africa as a whole,” she said.

The Minister was addressing the 5th AfriNEAD and 7th College of Health Sciences Scientific Conference in Kumasi on the theme: “Disability and Inclusion in Africa: The Role of Assistive technology”.

The African Network for Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) advocates for the translation of disability research evidence into action that will assist in the upliftment of the lives of PWDs in Africa.

Chairperson of the Network, Prof. Gubela Mji, says there is need for clarity among African governments to include articles under the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into policies and practice.

The disabled around the world frequently encounter widespread barriers or lack accessibility in buildings, discrimination in employment, transport and information Communication Technologies.

These barriers often go to deny them the opportunities that exist, leading to exclusion and marginalization.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, observed the impact and benefits of assistive technology, accessible information communication technologies have been positive on the wellbeing by improving inclusiveness and participation among persons with disabilities.

He noted new hopes are emerging for persons with disabilities with the advent of ICT. 

“In spite of the huge challenges disabled persons face, Assistive Technology and ICT are offering new opportunities for everyone but they are becoming more significant to persons with disabilities,” he said.

He said the government is committed to helping to create an equitable and fair society for all citizens to share in the country’s wealth and prosperity.

By Kofi Adu Domfeh