World Disability Day is celebrated on the 3rd of December every year. This day was promoted by the United Nations in 1992, and aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The themes for this event every year purport to focus on a different issue. For example: the theme for last year was: “REMOVING BARRIERS TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY FOR ALL”.

And that for this year is: “BREAK BARRIERS, OPEN DOORS: FOR AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL”. Brilliant as these themes may sound; they are just semantics.

Over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with one form of disability or another!

Around the world, persons with disabilities (PWDs) face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society.

They are unequally represented among the world’s poorest, and as always; lack equal access to basic resources such as education, employment, healthcare, social and legal support systems, as well as have a higher rate of mortality. In spite of all these assertions, disability has largely remained a mirage in the mainstream development agenda and its processes.

In 2006, the international disability movement (IDM) made some achievements with the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

The focus really of this Convention, was to push for a change of attitude and approach by nations to take appropriate measures to ensure that PWDs have access on equal basis with others; to the physical environment, transportation, information, communication and information and communications technology (ICT) – including all other facilities and services provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.

The UN General Assembly in the recent years has repeatedly emphasized that the genuine achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially, requires the inclusion and integration of the rights, and well-being, as well as the perspective of persons with disabilities in development efforts at national, regional and international levels.

Ghana’s response to this call for nations to ensure that PWDs live independently and enjoy access to society and services on an equal basis with others, including transportation, employment, education, political participation and justice, was the promulgation of the disability Act 2006 – Act 715, which was explicit on non-discrimination in all aspects of life against PWDs.

Seven years down the line however, enforcement has become invisible as always; and what is most disappointing is that, schools and some other public buildings are still being built by the state without any regard to accessibility for PWDs.

Now which is the reality? If schools and other public facilities are constructed by the state without ramps and elevators and I am unable to access them. Is my inability to access these public places because I am disabled, or it is the state that has actually “disabled” me by not providing what would have enabled me gain access these facilities?

 Meanwhile, a ten-year moratorium which was given to those public places that were in existence prior to the coming into being of this Act, has only three years to expire without any attempt whatsoever by these institutions to make the necessary adjustments to facilitate their accessibility.

Question: if nothing has happened in seven years after the coming into force of this Act, can anybody realistically believe that the three years remaining could practically change anything?

My humble opinion however in the midst of all these is; rather than provide seemingly-hopeful themes on World Disability Days (like the ones above), coupled with heavy empty cacophonize-speeches that are at best only theoretical, focus must instead be placed on creating systems that would work to achieve universality of equal opportunity and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Look! “I have always maintained that, matters that affect PWDs are always afterthoughts on the conscience of this nation”, and this is why rights of PWDs are even sometimes treated as privileges by officialdom. The point must be made, and be made quite strongly that; The Bill of Rights – including that of accessibility, are provided for by the 1992 Constitution article 35(3) (6)c. They are not privileges to be suffocated, trampled upon and melted away at the whims or caprices of anyone. “How many times haven’t we forcefully fought for what is rightfully ours before it is reluctantly and superficially provided for us, even without addressing the underlying problems?”

Fact is there is a lack of awareness in general around accessibility. People without disabilities don't realize all the challenges that we face. “To them, we don’t exist, and even if we do, we don’t matter.”

“It is unfortunate that life of a person living with disability in Ghana is a whole historic stretch of nothingness and depression, combined with the long and deep insult of having to live with careless and mediocre society.”

“Very often the test of one's commitment to a cause or to a people is precisely the willingness to stay the course when it matters most.”

“The world can no longer take PWDs for granted because its failure to provide for our needs has made us incredibly intelligent, and this stems from the fact that“we are constantly adapting to challenges.” We have therefore through agony, developed strength of character that other people don’t have.”

TIME-UP for heavy but empty long speeches of promises during World Disability Day celebrations! The time has come to rechristen this day as: National / International Accessibility Day, and practicalize it.  I am therefore as a matter of urgency, calling for a separate date to be set aside for the observance of a NATIONAL ACCESSIBILITYDAY. On this day, the nation’s decision makers – the President, Ministers of state, MPs, MMDCEs and all Chief Directors amongst others, would be required to move along the various streets that lead to their various offices; some in wheelchairs, others in pairs of crutches, the rest blind-folded to use the white cane and last but not the least, some others be made to use the sign language as the official communication medium on that day from 08am – 5pm.And this will be done every year.

My opinion is that until they are made to experience how it feels like to live with a disability, they will continue to pay lip, rather than mind service to the plights of PWDs.

Secondly, all their computers must also be customized to read: “TAKE CARE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BECAUSE, YOU ARE ONLY TEMPORARILY ABLE.” This message will hit them first thing every morning when they turn on their computers to start work. And it will keep reminding them of their responsibilitiestoward creating the necessary structures to enable PWDs function normally.

Thirdly, PWDs must have permanent representations at the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to take part in policy formulation and their implementation so as to make the necessary inputs, especially regarding infrastructural development. The truth is that; if the MMDAs really want to do a great job that is inclusive, they have to include architects, occupational therapists, and urban planners. They need to have an interdisciplinary approach to developing infrastructure.

I finally wish to embolden my fellow PWDs to contest every election that is organized in Ghana, from the Presidency down to the Unit Committee level. This is the only way to have our voices heard in the scheme of affairs of this great nation. I also urge you to take education and advocacy seriously with the view to capturing some sensitive positions in the country like the women have done.

We can no longer continue to leave our destinies in the hands of a careless society. For how long shall we continue to create awareness when the rest of the nation has fallen into a state of oblivion? But the good news is; it is not over until it really is over. God is on our side, and we definitely shall prevail.

Happy anniversary. Long live the disabled community! The struggle continues!!