People with disability in Zanzibar marked the International Day of People with Disability, with a call for the government to ensure disabled people access public transport and buildings to ease communication.
“We ask the government to improve accessibility. It has always been difficult for us to get services in public buildings. Unfortunately, even government buildings are unfriendly for disabled people,” they said in their message read by Ms Hadaa Khatib Simai.
She said despite repeated calls to the government and members of the public, there has been very slow response. “We are discouraged by the little response to our call,” they said.
Mr Abdulwakil Haji Hafidh, chairperson of the Zanzibar Disabled Council, said at the event, which was held in Dole village in West district, that policymakers and the government needed to review laws in order to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
The guest of honour at the function, Mr Haji Faki Shaali, minister without portfolio, asked people with disability to be patient as the government looked into ways to improve infrastructure and buildings in the Isles so they are accessible to them.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
