CAB Wants Gov’t Empower Visually Challenged

By: Rancy S. Teewia 

The President of Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) Mr. Beyan G. Kota is calling on the Government of Liberia to go beyond recognition of the most marginalized in its implementation of the stimulus package and take action to ensure access to finance for the empowerment of the vulnerable population.

Speaking Thursday October 15, 2020 at the Monrovia City Hall during programs commemorating the World White Cane Safety Day, Mr. Kota asserted that the economic situation of persons with disabilities is extremely weak.

“As a result of our disabilities, we are limited by our impairments to find a job. Further is the discrimination we suffer in the labor market even we are competent for the job and if persons with disabilities manage find an employment it is very likely that we earn less them our colleagues who do not have disabilities,” Mr. Kota lamented.

He said the Pro-poor Development Agenda of government should ensure equality in empowerment opportunities for persons with disabilities and the implementation of economic strategies should ensure for persons with disabilities by enforcing existing law which stipulates that four percent of the employees should be skilled persons with disabilities.

The CAB President also furthered that it is important for the government to provide continuous training for professionals and staff working in the health services, and ensure that those services are accessible, especially in rural areas.

At same time Mr. Kota called on human rights activists, supporters and policy makers in Liberia to join efforts in advocating for equal rights for the blind and partially sighted persons as enshrined in the Liberian constitution, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“As we move into the second year of our 2019 to 2022 strategic plan in which human rights and representation are among our core strategic priorities, we pledge to continue to promote full participation, equal opportunities, and to protect the human rights of the blind and partially sighted persons in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life, while ensuring that our voice is heard at the national and global levels in all matters affecting our lives,” Mr. Kota asserted.