Parliament Thursday June 23 observed World Disability Day with a call on government to put in place measures to make life easier for the disabled.

Parliament called on government to take steps, as a matter of urgency, to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability making it mandatory for all buildings to be easily accessible to disabled persons.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said more persons living with disability (PWDs) should be identified and included in the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

“On the calendar of the United Nations, 3 December of every year is celebrated as the International Day of Disabled Persons. The day aims to help nations all over the world to increase their awareness and understanding of issues regarding people with disability and also to support disabled people to get self-respect, right, welfare, and security in the society,” she said.

“Mr Speaker, given its importance, the issue of disability and inclusion became one of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Goal 4 of the SDGs is on inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all, calling for equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disability.”

The legislator bemoaned how unfriendly the design of the newly-constructed community day senior high schools were to the physically challenged and urged government to put measures in place to address the concern.

“Mr Speaker, Act 715 and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability make it mandatory for all buildings to be made accessible to PWDs. Several buildings, roads, and recreational facilities have been made compliant with these provisions. However, the vast majority are not accessible for persons with disability and do not have ramps or lift access.

“Unfortunately, all the new community day schools being constructed are not compliant with the accessibility provisions of Act 715 despite they being modern storey buildings.

“Action must be taken immediately to ensure that children with disability can safely access their classrooms and other facilities just like their abled counterparts.”

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful urged government to support PWDs. “Mr Speaker, over the years, governments have included persons with severe disabilities without any productive capacity into the beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme. More such PWDs need to be identified and included in this programme,” the lawmaker pleaded.