International Disability Day Message: Dr Joshua T. Malinga

 
The 3rd of December is the official United Nations day for Disabled People. I therefore invite you all to think of the different challenges, areas of support needed by Disabled People and possible interventions to address these.

From time immemorial, disabled people have been treated in the most inhumane way, being viewed as abnormal, asexual, a result of divine intervention, a tragedy, mad and crazy, unfortunate people who are charity cases, just to name a few undignified terms used on them. Society often perceives them as vile stereotyped deviants that just need to be exterminated, which is an unfortunate stigma we still live with, even in this new and modern world. Attitudes towards Disabled People are still very primitive. Disabled People are marginalized, oppressed, exploited and hugely under-resourced. They are often excluded from vital community services and facilities and under-developed, with their rights and dignities are still not respected and recognized.

I am therefore appealing to the wider world to put their deep thoughts into how Disabled People can be liberated and enjoy the rights, benefits, privileges, community services and facilities that are enjoyed by so called non-disabled people as a matter of right and not charity.

Let us all consider different ways to ensure inclusion of disabled people in various activities and services, starting from our own families to communities and nationally. Let us invest in ensuring everyone accesses basic human rights and dignity.

Dr Joshua T. Malinga(Senator) Special Advisor to the President on Disability issues.