People living with disabilities (PLWDs) across the entire Coast region have been urged to know their rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
Speaking on Saturday during a PLWDs sensitisation meeting at Juwaba social hall in the outskirts of Kilifi Town, Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) deputy executive officer Miss Rahma Gulam said majority of PLWDs are not aware of their rights.
She said that failure to know their right has led to them being sidelined in terms of opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
“There are PLWDs with the relevant education and qualifications for competitive jobs yet they are left out because of stigma and also because they are not aware of their rights,” she said.
She said time has come for PLWDs to embrace information regarding their rights and issues affecting them and their possible solutions.
On his part, Dabaso Ward MCA, who is also living with disability, Mr Hamza Ali, said there was need for the county government to allocate more funds to PLWDs.
“Despite the fact that some PLWDs have the relevant education and job qualifications, they still do not stand a chance for employment in the public service and private sectors, a vice that acts as a stumbling block in achieving their goals in life,” said Ali.
He added, “There is need of budgeting for proper allocation of funds, relaying information widely to all PLWDs and addressing communication barriers facing the marginalised groups when trying to reach their leaders and different corporate heads.”
He said the government should consider training and educating the PLWD’s for various job opportunities like interpreting and sign language, reviewing their job qualifications in county levels, and allocating resources and projects to them so as to act as a source of income.
“Follow-up on our conditions should also be made so as to solve the challenges we face daily. This will be achieved through a law that will cater for the budget meant for the marginalised group,” said Ali.