Regional News of Monday, 15 September 2003

Source: GNA

Parliament urged to pass the Disability Bill

Hohoe (V/R), Sept. 15, GNA - Mr Paul Onai, Assessment Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in-charge of special education, has called on Parliament to urgently pass the Disability Bill before it to address the rights of persons with disabilities.

He made the call at the general meeting of the students and youth wing of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) at Hohoe on Saturday. He said the proposed legislation is expected to create opportunities and responsibilities address access to public place and the right to information for the blind.

Mr. Onai appealed to Parliament to take the plight of the disabled, especially the blind to heart and pass the Bill.

Ms Agnes Osei, National Vice-President of the students and youth wing of GAB urged the youth and blind students to register with the association to enable it solve some of their disability problems. Ms Osei advised them to refrain from begging for alms. They should rather learn a trade to enable them to be self-employed.

She appealed to non-governmental organisations, institutions and philanthropists to help provide the association with teaching aids including, Braille to assist them in their training.