By Salome Alwanda/Victoria Magar
Parents in Busia County have been urged to support their children with various forms of physical disabilities.
Speaking during a forum to mark World Disability Day at Busia Polytechnic grounds on Tuesday, Busia County Director for Persons With Disabilities Metrine Wamalwa noted that some parents hide their children instead of allowing them to go to school.
‘The only way to reduce the burden for a child with a physical disability is to take him/her to school,’ she said, adding that most parents have a negative attitude towards such children.
Wamalwa thanked the Ministry of Health for supporting the Department by carrying out assessments to ensure that those with Physical disabilities are registered by the National Council for Persons With Disability.
The nominated MCA representing Persons With Disability George Wesonga assured the PWDs that their grievances will be tabled at the County Assembly.
Busia Speaker Fredrick Odilo noted that several buildings within the County were not disability friendly adding that there was a need to implement the Disability Act.
“We have noted that several buildings are coming up without lifts or rams, “he said, adding that the County Assembly will ensure that locals adhere to the Act.
Odilo advised the PWDs to register with the National Council for Persons With Disability so that they can benefit from tax exemption.
He further noted that there was discrimination in advertising job opportunities adding that the County Assembly will ensure that vacancies for PWDs are slotted in such adverts.
A section of PWDs complained that the County leadership and elected leaders have not taken their issues seriously.
They insisted that 5% of all County resources should be allocated to support the PWDs at the grassroots level instead of traveling to Busia town.
They at the same time called for decentralization of tax exemption processing to the County level.