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Writes Marlvin Ngiza
The Gweru local authority has been hailed for heeding the call to upscale disability inclusion in service delivery through the installation of a disability desk at their townhouse.
The development comes following an appeal by the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) and partners since 2022 for the council to have disability friendly environment for easy accessibility of the offices by the community.
The introduction of the desk had a positive reception from people with disabilities and their city-based organisations that described the gesture as resonating with the demands of the National Disability Policy (NDP) which was launched in 2021 and stipulates the inclusion of this often marginalised group.
In his remarks during the official opening of the desk, Let’s Make A Difference Disability Zimbabwe President, Advocate Nigel Tahwa, said that the desk meant a lot and was going to ease accessibility challenges of services for people with disabilities in the city.
“I would like to applaud all those who made this disability counter possible. Today, the disability counter is officially opened to cater to all ratepayers with disabilities. This counter will help people with disabilities pay their bills easily. It is good to note that people with disabilities have been considered. Before this counter, it was very difficult for people with disabilities to pay their bills and to communicate with tellers in this revenue hall because of various barriers. I would also want to extend my gratitude to GRRA for helping us push for the establishment of the desk. As the Executive Director of Let’s Make A Difference Disability Zimbabwe, I say the sky is the limit. One step at a time, we are going to make the whole City of Gweru disability friendly,” said Tahwa.
Meanwhile, GRRA Executive Director, Cornelia Selipiwe said that the development was a milestone in achieving equality in the city. There were strong suggestions for the recruitment of disability attendants on this disability counter.
“This is really a milestone and we are excited. It comes following our consultations. As an arm, in 2022 we were advocating for such a facility. Here it is today. It is going to improve accessibility for people with disabilities whenever they want to pay their bills. We, therefore, call for the recruitment of people with disabilities on that counter.We are very grateful to our local authority for paying heed to our appeal. Now that the desk is available, we, therefore, continue to advocate for the issue of elevators to be addressed in the city of Gweru so that they become functional,” said Selipiwe.
Gweru City Council spokesperson, Vimbai Chingwaramuse, said that it was their thrust as an authority to leave no one behind in their service delivery.
“We decided to introduce the disability desk so as to ensure the inclusivity of everyone. Our counters were not accessible to some of our clients who are differently abled hence the need to make a shorter disability desk. This will improve service delivery as we now have included everyone in the running of the local authority, said Chingwaramuse.
The National Disability Policy section 3.14 stipulates the issues of accessibility that buildings, transportation, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, housing, medical facilities, and workplaces must be accessible to persons with disabilities.