Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba has met with leaders of organisations for persons with disabilities, to discuss development that borders on their welfare.

Matters discussed, included how people with disabilities can have access to empowerment opportunities  in order for them to be self-sustainable.

The Minister therefore called  on them to stand up and be counted on developmental programmes under the New Dawn Government, such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), access to funds through the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) among others.

She disclosed that the Ministry plans to deliberately put a desk for people living with disabilities in every province, in order to have their issues addressed, such as processing of their empowerment programmes expeditiously.

“I would like to remind everyone that the Ministry stands with you in your advocacy agenda for improved services, Inclusiveness and mainstreaming of disability issues” she assured.

She said it is time to have ‘success stories’ coming out from people with disabilities by abandoning the self pity mentality.

“Do not use your vulnerability to be beggars, but be hardworking so that we can facilitate for empowerment through a good policy environment, because disability is not inability”,Ms Mwamba further said.

And  speaking at the same event, Zambia National Associations of the Deaf Executive Director,Mr  James Kapembwa said he is happy with the policy direction on issues of people living with disabilities .

He recalls that it was difficult for people with disabilities to access empowerment in the past, but is happy now that things have started to look promising.