-Disabled Group Calss for inclusiveness
By Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY — The community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nimba County has issued a compelling call for a disability-inclusive society that ensures a better quality of life and upholds the rights of individuals with disabilities. This appeal highlights the urgent need for awareness and action to guarantee equal access to life, movement, education, and employment opportunities for all.
The call was amplified during the Friday edition of Radio Nimba’s “We Are One Radio Program,” where advocates Ms. Helen Gonleh and Mr. Victor Yeanay emphasized the importance of collective efforts to champion disability rights. They stressed that dignity and equality must be universal, regardless of an individual’s physical or mental abilities.
“Whether disabled or able-bodied, everyone must be empowered to contribute to an inclusive society,” Gonleh and Yeanay stated. They pointed out that the most significant challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly women and children, stem not from their impairments but from deeply rooted societal discrimination.
A Plea for Leadership and Inclusion
The advocates used the platform to rally the administration of President Joseph Boakai, specifically calling on Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono to intervene. They urged local leaders to commit to ensuring that persons with disabilities play a central role in creating a more inclusive world, advocating for equal rights, and protecting them from violence.
“Inclusion is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for transformative growth,” they emphasized. “When persons with disabilities are included in social, economic, and health activities, it benefits everyone and contributes to the overall development of the country.”
Global Foundations for Disability Rights
The struggle for disability rights is rooted in the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. This landmark document affirmed the fundamental rights of every individual, regardless of nationality, race, gender, ability, or identity.
Building on this foundation, landmark policies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) have been instrumental in advancing disability rights globally. These frameworks reject isolation and call for consolidated efforts to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities as vital members of their families and communities.
Referencing these international principles, Gonleh and Yeanay underscored that universal human rights are a call to action. “Human rights are fragile when taken for granted,” they noted. “For persons with disabilities, ensuring access to education, employment, housing, and community life is a basic human right.”
A Vision for a Disability-Inclusive Liberia
The advocates launched a pressing appeal to the government and its partners to create a “Disability-Inclusive Society” that ensures a better quality of life and safeguards the rights of persons with disabilities. Their campaign highlights the universality, interdependence, and fundamental nature of these rights, advocating for their full enjoyment without discrimination.
The initiative aims to drive awareness, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities across Liberia, envisioning a nation where they can actively contribute to socio-economic development within their communities.
Domesticating International Frameworks
The Nimba County disabled community also called on government officials to participate in the crucial process of domesticating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This, they argued, would contribute to the development of a comprehensive Disability Rights and Support Bill in Liberia.
The CRPD, adopted by the UN in 2006, seeks to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities. It also aims to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
