The Women’s Wing of the Ghana Blind Union (GBU), has urged society to overcome prejudice, and do more to aid people with disabilities to grow in self-belief and confidence.
Mrs Alice Adu-Danquah, President of the Union, said they need to have equal access to education, resources and jobs, in order to lead normal and dignified lives.
That is the path to travel to remove low self-esteem and resignation among many of a disabled person, especially the visually-impaired.
She was speaking at a forum held by the women’s wing under the theme: “Equal Justice For The Vulnerable, Justice For All,” in Kumasi.
Mrs. Adu-Danquah complained about the high rate of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment, among them and said things would have to change.
Their expectation is that government will give priority attention to disability, and put in place the appropriate structures to enable the disabled make effective contributions towards national development.
She described as disheartening the situation where visually-impaired persons in the education sector lacked logistics, like Braille machines, vital for their teaching and learning.
Mrs. Aishatu Ibrahim, National President of GBU, urged disabled women to report rape and other abuses to the necessary authorities for action.
Mrs. Augustina Gyamfi, Regional Director of Gender, Children and Social Protection, urged public and private institutions to ensure that their buildings were disability-friendly.
