Vice President Lucia Witbooi has assured the people of Namibia that the government remains committed to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.
She was speaking during her familiarisation visit, on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin)’s Rehabilitation Centre in Oniipa last week.
“Our Constitution, national policies and international commitments guide us towards building an inclusive society in which all citizens, regardless of their physical, intellectual or psychosocial development, can participate fully in national development. Therefore, rehabilitation services such as those offered at the centre are an indispensable pillar of that commitment,” she said.
She emphasised that the Oniipa Elcin Rehabilitation Centre embodies hope, dignity and inclusion for persons with disabilities and those in need of rehabilitation services.
Witbooi commended Elcin for its long-standing and ongoing contribution to the social development of the nation, particularly in advancing the well-being of persons with disabilities. Project manager at the rehabilitation centre, Lempie Kamati, highlighted that the non-governmental organisation provides services to people with disabilities across the country, with a particular focus on communities in the northern communal areas.
It was established in 1990.
“The centre specialises in addressing the reading, writing, listening and study needs of visually impaired people so that they can read independently. It also provides support to schools with visually and hearing-impaired learners,” she said. She further noted that the resource centre also caters for community-based rehabilitation volunteer workers who provide physical rehabilitation services and psychosocial counselling to people with disabilities and their families at grassroots level. She added that, to ensure the continuation of the centre’s activities and its sustainability, additional support is needed to upgrade operations and to continue providing access to educational opportunities for learners and individuals with all kinds of disabilities.