 says all public buildings must be accessible for persons living with disabilities ( PWDs)){kind=link}
Zambia: The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) says all public buildings must be accessible for persons living with disabilities ( PWDs). The call was made for the government of Zambia to take necessary steps to ensure that all spaces are inclusive.
The Agency adds that this mandate should be followed in all communal buildings throughout the country. The people living with disabilities will get some sense of independence and normalcy with the government’s support.
ZAPD Muchinga Provincial Coordinator Derrick Malama said that wheelchair ramps should be established at every entrance and exit points of buildings. The officials have shared that it is important for the government to take charge of the situation.
The people living with disabilities should also have the option to access and navigate public buildings and spaces. He added that washrooms and parking lots of public buildings among others must also be made accessible.
Malama added that existing public buildings must ensure that modifications are done to accommodate persons living with disabilities. The call aligns with the Cabinet office circular minute No. 30 of 2024 issued on 10th September 2024 by the Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa.
Since the Disability Act No. 6 of 2012 was enacted there hasn’t been much adherence but with the recently issued circular the Agency is hopeful that there will be positive change. He said for the Agency to ensure total adherence, it has embarked on a sensitization exercise to all public and private institutions, adding that, inspection of public buildings is on going.
He further appealed to the general public to inform the Agency once they come across any public building without features that promote accessibility by persons living with disabilities.
Malama said all public buildings should be accessible by persons living with disabilities within 6 months from the issuance date of the Cabinet circular.
The Cabinet Office issued circular minute No. 30 of 2024 to remove barriers and ensure that everyone has access to public buildings and information without living anyone behind.