The 14th general assembly of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities in the Eastern Province convened on March 17 and discussed various initiatives to promote inclusiveness for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the province, and asses the achievements of set targets. The assembly disclosed that more than 100,000 PwDs are presently enrolled in the Eastern Province, with Nyagatare at 20,631, Bugesera at 17,019, Gatsibo at 16,420, Kayonza at 14,937, Kirehe at 14,230, Ngoma at 13,165, and Rwamagana at 13,003 PwDs documented. ALSO READ: FEATURED: Five challenges that people with disabilities need addressed According to officials, these figures highlight the importance of addressing the needs of PwDs and ensuring their participation in all aspects of society by improving accessibility to public facilities, education, healthcare, and employment. “Every building under construction in the province should be designed with accessibility features to accommodate individuals with disabilities; with old ones, their renovation to include ramps is included in action plans. Implementing inclusive education policies to ensure that children with disabilities have equal access to education should also be prioritised; we need to work together as partners to ensure a disabled person is not left behind in the development process,” said Pudence Rubingisa, Eastern Province governor. In Nyagatare District, which has the highest number of people with disabilities in the province, they believe embarking on inclusive education promotes the well-being of persons with disabilities. “Deaf children from mostly poor rural families living in Gatunda Sector attend a school built to cater to their specific needs. With over 100 deaf children, the school looks for further expansion in the future to ensure that every child with a disability has the opportunity to reach their full potential through inclusive education,” Stephen Gasana, Nyagatare District mayor, told media during a press conference on March 16. ALSO READ: 6 things to know about census for people with disabilities Besides inclusive and social cohesion efforts in different districts, people with disabilities called for support from cooperatives to empower them with skills and funds. Maritine Mukaramabe, a representative of persons with disabilities in the Kirehe District, said, “Notable progress in promoting inclusive education and social cohesion efforts for people with disabilities is evident, however, there is still much work to be done to support PwDs cooperatives. With the necessary skills and funds, people with disabilities can become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to society. “We have seen notable developments in funded cooperatives. For example, working together in beekeeping cooperatives in Kirehe empowers individuals with disabilities.” Providing more training programmes and forming partnerships with businesses and organisations to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce, officials said, will help break barriers and create a more inclusive society for all. The Eastern Province has over 100,000 people with disabilities, comprising 49,824 men and 59,581 women.
