Part I: Preliminary - definitions

-

Part I contains preliminary provisions such as definitions of certain terms used in the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Bill, and outlines general principles to be used during implementation. We start by looking at some of the key definitions used in the Bill as follows:
·         Accessibility – this word is understood as the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation and specialized design. Universal Design shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
·         Authorized officer – means a medical practitioner, rehabilitation/disability programme officer, social worker, or any other person authorized by the Minister for the purposes of this Bill.
·         Agency – refers to Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) established by the MACODA Act.
·         Auxiliary aids services – or “assistive devices” include (a)        qualified sign language  interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments; (b) qualified readers, taped texts, Braille or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals with visual impairments; (c) qualified guides and personal assistants; (d) acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; (e) other appropriate  aids, appliances, technologies and other support systems that facilitate better functioning of persons with disabilities.
·         Disability – Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
·         Disability Equality – Capacity Building initiatives specifically targeting issues of disability mainstreaming.
·         Disability Trust Fund – refers to a pool of financial resources generated from the government, contributions from donors, individuals, non-governmental organizations and companies for investment in disability programmes.
·         Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) – refers to organizations formed and managed by persons with disabilities themselves to lobby and advocate for their rights.
·         Discrimination – means any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of disability which has the purpose or effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. It includes all forms of discrimination including denial of reasonable accommodation.
·         Essential Disability Package – means an approved range of services and support systems that facilitate the full participation of persons with disabilities in human development.
·         Equalization of opportunities – means a process through which the various systems of society and the environment including services, activities, information and documentation are made available particularly to persons with disabilities and accessible to all persons.
·         FEDOMA – Abbreviation for Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi, an umbrella body for organisations of persons with disabilities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to the “disABILTY FOCUS”

-
Image
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you, readers, to this new blog, The disABILTY FOCUS which tackles issues affecting persons with disabilities in Malawi and beyond. As you may be aware, while most of us have been reading a number of blogs on the Internet and columns in newspapers and other publications focusing on a thematic issue like gender, most of you will however testify that this is probably the first time you will be reading, and following, a blog that specifically tackles issues on disabilities in Malawi. It is in this context why the authors – Mussa Chiwaula of Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) and George Mwika Kayange of Child Rights Information & Documentation Centre (CRIDOC) – have initiated the blog. Through this blog, we intend to help raise awareness and encourage debate on key issues that affect persons with disabilities in Malawi. We also aim to assess the role of various stakeholders in the promotion of rights ...
Read more

The Story of a Youthful Accountant, Scader Louis

-
Image
My name is Scader Louis.   I was born on 30 th September 1981, in a family of 4 children and I being the only girl. My father, Ronald Louis Masanjala came from Msamati Village T/A Kalembo – Machinga and my mother, Nancy Mwalwanda came Lughali Village T/A Kyungu – Karonga respectively. They both died in 1993 and 1999 respectively. I grew up in Mangochi District where my father spent most of his working life. I did my primary school education at St Augustine 3 in Mangochi. Later I went for my secondary school education at St Monica Girls Sec. School in the same district I was in form 2 when my mum died and things turned sour for me as there was no one to support my academic needs. Many thanks to the Sisters of Divine Providence, who through my teacher Mrs. Jean Ntaba offered to, take over the responsibility of paying for my school fees. I completed my secondary education in 2001 and passed my M.S.C.E with flying colors. I sat for the University Entrance Examinations in 2...
Read more

Examples of Adaptive Technologies for the Disabled

-
Image
There is no denying the fact in this age of technology, there is a steady increase of people who use computers and Internet frequently in their workplaces, public places, or homes, but there are still many individuals who do no have access to these technologies. Some may not access them because they cannot afford to do so financially. But others have failed because of disability, in spite of having access to computer. This is why adaptive technologies have been developed.    Many computers in libraries, public information centres, government institution, still do have the adaptive technologies because they are still new in Malawi. We must, therefore, list down some examples of these technologies. However, before we do so, we must first describe different categories of disabilities that make it difficult for people to access information. The major categories of disability types are as follows: •       Visual blindness: This may include blindness, low...
Read more