PLWDs laments exploitation

SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE

People living with disabilities (PLWDs) say some individuals and organisations are ripping them off despite claiming to represent the constituency.

The individuals say they have suffered under the claim by such organisations around the country that are benefiting at their expense.

‘’Imagine at my age I remain jobless, homeless and remain on begging while such organisations directors that say they represent the disabled live decent  lifestyles with their families,’’ said 35-year old Panganai Chitiyo who uses a wheelchair.

He added: ‘’Some of our members do not even have clutches to move around, but the supposed representatives of the disabled that are able bodied have several vehicles, for their spouses and children.’’

Chitiyo said there have been numerous cases of food hampers meant for the disabled that mysteriously vanish while some are re-packaged and benefitting the organisations that represent them.

‘’We have been used for long and we cannot continue like this we now need empowerment as have been done to war veterans that got farmland residential stands and monthly allowances in disabled allowance for our membership across the country,’’ Chitiyo said

Another disgruntled member of the disabled community Michael Mutezo said empowerment of the disabled was key in ending the dependency syndrome among the grouping.

“We need to be taught how to fish and not continue receiving hand-outs as is the case. If residential land can be accessed for the disabled people at a low cost it would go a long way is easing our way of living as many stay in squalid environments not befitting any human being,” Mutezo said.

“It is so dehumanising and degrading for someone, an adult using a wheelchair or clutches to seek for assistance while in the bathrooms that are not friendly for our condition.”

He said members were struggling to pay school fees for their children who are ending up being sent away from schools.

While there has been much talk on customising public places to suit the people living with disability, there has not been action to fulfil the government pledge, PLWDs said.

Most public places do not have ramps for easy accessibility and most ablution facilities are not equipped to cater for their condition including schools, colleges and the public transport system is the worst.

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