The Communications Workers Association of Zambia (CWAOZ) has bemoaned the lack of switchboards in government and parastatal institutions in the country.
Speaking during a meeting for CWAOZ in Kabwe, Vice Chairperson, Cecilia Bwalya, said the non-availability of switchboards has negatively affected the performance of people living with vision loss and other various disabilities.
Ms. Bwalya said the advent of the use of cell phones is a threat to the work of switchboard operators because most institutions, which were conducting business through switchboards, are now using the portable and mobile gadgets.
“In developed countries, switchboards are still effective because everyone leaves their mobile phones at the reception and any communication within the organisation is done through the switchboards. But we are concerned here in Zambia where cell phones are used for communication within organisations, a thing that has put our jobs on a thin line,” Ms. Bwalya explained.
She observed that most switchboard equipment is obsolete in most institutions.
She has since called on government to consider procuring state of the art switchboards in order to secure jobs for people who are visually impaired.
Ms. Bwalya has however applauded the new down government for demonstrating an exceptional spirit in the provision of employing citizens who are differently abled.
She said the demonstration by government to employ people living with disabilities has given them the hope of contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
Meanwhile, Central Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Milner Mwanakampwe, who officiated at the meeting, reaffirmed government’s commitment to support associations for people living with various disabilities.
Mr. Mwanakampwe said the new dawn government will ensure that there was inclusiveness in awarding contracts and jobs to all citizens.
“For society to work well, it needs different bodies to support its work just like the human body. We are therefore committed as government to work and support the CWAOZ,” he said.
He said people with disabilities have been overlooked by many institutions hence the need to realise their importance because they are equal to any person and can contribute to the development of the country.
Mr. Mwanakampwe has also called for the installation of switchboard machines and renovations of office space in various places of work to motivate people living with disabilities to work hard in fostering development.
Indeed since the demise of the switchboard and typewriter the visually impaired have found it difficult to muster other skills. Technology doesn’t permit us to switch back to those old ways. The challenge is to the curriculum development center. They must come up with other innovations that will give employable skills to differently abled persons. There are few still alive and skillful that were trained at Luanshya’s Fisenge Blind Centre. The lack of skills and support have caused many hardworking visually impaired persons to end up seeking alms on streets. This is an indication that leaders are far from the people they lead.
THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY
AND THERE IS TECHOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS
I PUT IT TO YOU NOT MANY AND THEY CAN BE ACCOMODATED
The upnd do not care about disabled people. Remember the scandal they had before elections? These guys in upnd only care about one tribe and whlte people
Seriously switchboard is obsolete and no place in this digital world…why employ someone on 9-5 when a £2/month software can do the work? Embrace innovation and adapt…there is always opportunities from change.
It’s cruel but time has moved on.
They should fire the IT department, because like Tiki said the technology is there. It’s the failure to adapt to the technology that is present everywhere in Zambia, that’s always the problem. Smart phones/PCs are made with adaptations for everyone by international law. Blind people can still access websites like LT because of features that are present on every website. The barrier may be language because our local languages are not yet fully integrated into websites.
We can be innovative and find solutions. That way we will own what ever technology we come up with. We have to adapt each and every impairment. “Space Force” minister Mutati should look into this switchboard story.
The upnd f00Is above move to the UK and are cleaning toilets, now they have magically become experts in communication technology. Non of them can mention the alternative technology they so refer to. An idlot abroad comes to mind
Switchboards were laid to rest longtime ago. Nobody is going back to that.
Thanks to equipment like screen-reading and magnifying software, Braille displays and various other tools, people with vision loss can hold different jobs. In this world of modern technology, it is up to each and every one of us with different abilities to give careful thought to what we can do and convince potential employers.
Ifintu ni wemwine. Let us forget this attitude of always expecting things to be done for us, please. Whether you are able bodied or differently abled.
“lack of switchboards in government and parastatal institutions” ….Unbelievable.
We are in the era of the PABX and the Auto Attendant(Digital Receptionist).
The only human you need is a Technician who maintains the system.
Stup!d KZ already MOVED to the UK himself (he lives near Belmarsh prison, waiting for a cell to become free) so don’t let the imposter f00l you
Now you becoming worse of your complaints you lazy asses-Do you manufacture typewriters or switchboard machines imwe ba koswe. Manufacture and sell to Government HH will buy them like yesterday.