The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) has called on stakeholders to join hands and forces to help break barriers that exclude persons with disability especially those of school going age from enjoying all their rights.
Their inclusion would create a future where the disabled would live healthier lives in spite of their impairments and as well feel loved and accepted.
The Central Regional Manager of the GRCS, Mr John Ekow Aidoo, said it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to work together to ensure that people living with disabilities access buildings without impediments.
Mr Aidoo was speaking at the annual observance of the International Day for Persons with Disability organised locally by the GRCS in the Central Region under the global theme: “The future is accessible”, and The national theme is: “breaking down barriers to inclusion”.
He said there is the need for people with disabilities to get a job without fear of discrimination and even access mainstream classrooms.
“The society should never look down on people because they are physically challenged, as such persons when assisted may be capable of excelling in all areas of life,” he added.
The Vice president for the Ghana Federation of Persons with Disability (GFPWD) in the Komenda-Edina- Eguafo- Abrem (KEEA) municipality, Mr Michael Kwaku Okran, also urged parents to see the good in children with special needs and educate them because they also have the right to be educated.
“The society must provide the needed support and assistance within their reach to the disabled, this way our societies would be disability friendly, ” he said.
Mr Okran attributed some disabilities in children to failed abortions and advised the youth to stay focused to avoid unplanned pregnancies that may lead to abortions.
Mr Isaac Inkoom, who is the Special Education Coordinator in KEEA, expressed concern that many in the society still had no respect for persons with disabilities, hence the stigmatisation that occurs from one generation to the other.
“Parents and the elderly in our societies have huge influence on children and they must use that opportunity to teach their wards to treat persons with disability with respect”, he added.
