The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) says government has done a tremendous job in ensuring that people with disabilities are catered for in accessing public infrastructure.
ZAPD Public Relations Officer, Rachael Chako, says the approval of the disability policy which ensures that persons with disabilities are involved in all developmental aspects is one of the achievements which government has recorded.
This ensures that people with disabilities access physical infrastructure, therefore promoting inclusion.
Ms Chako added that an ultimatum was given by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to ensure that various organisations and institutions erect ramps as well as lifts to help people with disabilities to have access to them.
She said ZAPD has however observed that only a few institutions have so far adhered to the directive.
She said it is still a challenge for some institutions to implement the directive.
Ms Chako has further said irrespective of the extremely low adherence to the ultimatum, ZAPD is engaging different stakeholders to raise the welfare of the people with disabilities.
She said ZAPD is liaising with relevant authorities to speed up the process of implementing the ultimatum by approving all construction works that will be in line with the guidelines of the requirement.
Ms Chako has meanwhile appealed to the members of the public to adhere to the guidelines in the ultimatum to make both public and private infrastructure accessible to persons with disabilities as this will raise the aspect of inclusivity.
She reiterated that government needs to act swiftly by engaging all those not adhering to the guidance stipulated in the ultimatum as soon as possible.
In October 2024, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development released a newsletter discussing ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure, particularly using Public -Private Partnerships (PPP) to overcome financing gaps.
