Malakand Disability FORUM(MDF) Expressing
Problems Faced by PWDs and Proposed Suggestions
Experience Shows That When Persons With Disabilities are Empowered to Participate and Lead the Process of Development, Their Entire Community Benefits, as Their Involvement Creates Opportunities for Everyone – with or Without a Disability. There Have Been Many Efforts and Initiatives, Over the Past Decade, to Include People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Social and Economic Development in Country. Despite the Many Efforts to Improve Their Situation, However, PWDs Continue to Experience High Rates of Marginalization and Poverty. PWDs are Unlikely to Have Attended School or Attained a HighLlevel of Education; are Mostly Unemployed; are Socially Isolated; Experience Lower Life Expectancy; and Therefore are More Likely to Live in Poverty. Persons with Disabilities Encounter Many Disadvantages in Their Societies and are Often Subjected to Disgrace and Discrimination. Furthermore, They are Largely Excluded From Civil and Political Processes and are Overwhelmingly Voiceless in Matters That Affect Them and Their Society. Problems to PWDS:
Possible Suggestions/Recommendations
Concerned Department/Organization/Authority
Feedback/Response From Concerned Departments
Non Accessibility to Organizations/departments:
Due to Building Design
Lack of Special Counters, Special washrooms
Negligence /Discouraging Behaviour From Concerned Authorities/Management
Involve PWD in Planning for Any kind of policy project For PWDs
Civil Administration
C & W
NADRA, Passport
Govt Sector
Social Welfare Department
Absence of PWD in Medical Board Approving Committee
Absence of PWD in Department
Staff Behaviour with PWDs
Inappropriate Orocess of Receiving payment
Too lengthy Process of certificate (PWD)
There must Be a Member From PWD in Medical Board
There must be a PWD as Employee in Social Welfare
Make Ease the Process of Getting Amount
Social Welfare
Political Barriers
Having no Reserved Seats in National/Provincial assembly and also local Govt
Allocating Special Seats for PWDs and Should Raise the Voice in Assembly (Resolution Should Be Presented)
Elected Members (Politicians)
Media
Health Department
Due to Building Design
Lack of Special Counters, Special Washrooms, Special Parking
Negligence /Discouraging Behaviour From Concerned Authorities/Management
Costly treatment
Free treatment
Health Department
Civil Administration
Education Department
Less Special quota for PWDs in jobs, School and Higher education
Fee Concession in Private Schools
Increased in Quota
Education Department
General Transport Problem
Lack of Special Seats in Vehicles
Special Parking Area, Waiting Rooms and Sign Boards
Miss Behaviour of Driver/Conductor
Providing Special Seats and Sign Boards. Awareness Sessions
Civil Administration
TMA
Police Department
Lack of Practical Implantation of Law for PWDs
Appropriate Disability Policies Developed by International and National Development Agencies are not Always Communicated Strongly, nor are Structures Created and Resources Clearly Allocated for Purposes of Implementation;
Disability is Considered a Specialised issue and Development Agency Staff Lack the Capacity to Include PWDs in their Programs;
DPOs Lack the Capacity and Need to be Strengthened to Enable them to Represent Concerns and Rights of PWDs;
Joint Ection plan Should be Implanted
Civil Administration For Implantation
NADRA
Issuance of Special CNIC to PWD (Having cut Fingers)
NADRA
PWDs as Business/ Entrepreneurs
Providing interest free Loans for Business to PWDs
Banks
Financial institution
Govt Package
General suggestions/ Recommendations:
PWDs Must be Able to Participate in Developing Policies, Programs and Services Relating to them. Such Participation can Take Many Forms, Including Involvement in Government Policy Committees, Support for DPOs and Genuine Collaboration Between Government and Disability Groups. It is Important That Governments and Service Providers Recognize That PWDs are the Paramount Experts in What Will Promote and Protect Their Rights. PWDs Should Also be leading the Delivery of Services Throughout all Departments as they are the Experts in Their own Right
DPOs Must be Urged to Engage With PWDs Living in Rural and Remote Areas But the Lack of Resources and the Remoteness of Small Communities Mean That DPOs are Often Unable to Work at the Grass Roots. Links Between Poverty and Disability and the Unmet needs of the Majority of PWDs Living in Rural Areas Continue to be Recognised by DPOs as a Major Barrier. National Coordination Mechanisms, Policy and Implementation Agencies and DPOs All Need to Extend to The Grass-Roots Level. The Capacities of PWDs Must be Developed So That They Can Contribute to Community-Based Solutions for the Particular Problems They Face.
