The National Secretary General, Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) , Abu Bakar Koroma in an exclusive interview with this press disclosed cross section of organizations for Persons with Disability (PWDs), with funds from Shared Vision, had made known their demands to political parties contesting the June 24th multitier elections.
According to Abu Bakar Koroma, PWDs made eight strong demands include but no limited to the free drugs and assistive technology be provided in hospitals for PWDs to enabled persons with disability enjoy free health care service.
He continued that PWDs demand the issuance of a permanent Disability Certificate as evidence of their disability as stipulated by section 7 (1) (a) of the Persons with Disability Act 2011.
PWDs requested political parties to make strong commitment for the appointment of PWDs in cabinet and other government appointed positions.
That future government should ensure That PWDs enjoys full financial support in tertiary institutions as provided for in section 10 (4) of the Education Act 2004 and the Persons with Disability Act of 2011 respectively.
The Disability community of Sierra Leone further called on the future government for the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) fully capacitates to carry out both government and donor funded projects for PWDs.
PWDs also requested for the creation of disability units in all government ministries in adherence of section 39 of the persons with Disability Act , 2011.
They are further demanding political symbols to be awarded to PWDs by political parties in areas that the parties are sure of winning, thereby makes the inclusion and participation of PWDs in the politics of the country visible. The Secretary General furthered drawn the attention of the public on their gains and challenges recorded around 2018-2023 in relation to the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2011.
The Secretary General commended the Bio government been the first in the history of governance to introduced livelihood support with direct cash transfers to PWDs.
He noted that the government decision for the inclusion of disability issues into the Mid Term Development plan document and the introduction and implementation of the radical inclusion policy as commendable.
He also mentioned the development of a disability policy on assistive technology as a step in the right direction.
He disclosed that the union accessibility audit conducted in key government institutions was a landmark success in the implementation of the Act, regardless of the fact that findings from the audit not encouraging.
