Africa-Press – Lesotho. Disabled and HIV/AIDS Organization Lesotho (DHAOL) has implemented a project on Mainstreaming Disability in a development agenda in order to address misinformation and disinformation on disability issues.
As part of the implementation, DHAOL involved the members of the media in a training workshop for reporting of stories of people with disabilities last week.
This was borne from the concern on partial media reporting on stories of or about disability, which often “lacks detailed investigations due to language barriers and limited knowledge on disability issues”.
National Association of the Deaf in Lesotho (NADL) Chairperson Letšekha Ntale said majority of the people still do not know what disability is, he explained it as a result of interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environment barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with other.
Also, Ntlale explained that impairment can take a physical, intellectual and psychosocial form, but it is essential to differentiate it from disability.
Physical impairment includes weakness, amputation or malformation of arms or legs or other body parts, Intellectual impairmentm it is the way the brain remembers or processes information as a result of conditions such as Down syndrome.
When differentiating between disability and impairment, Ntlale said 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.
So their needs might be different. Lesotho National Association for the Physically Disabled (LNAPD) President Pascalina Letsau urged the media partners to actively intervene and ensure fair passage of disability acts and policies.
Making reference to the Disability and Equity Act 2021, which has still not been implemented to date, she said it is critical for the media to be advocates and drivers for change.
The law was enacted on 12 March 2021 in order to provide for equal opportunities and recognition of rights of persons living with disabilities in Lesotho’s through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The main purpose of the convention is to ensure that member states provide the enjoyment of all human rights collectively for the promotion of human dignity.
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