Kapi: Include us in plans and policies

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
NATIONAL Board for Disabled Persons (NBDP) chairman Brown Kapi is appealing to leaders to include people with disabilities in development plans and policies.
Kapi said for 36 years, people with disabilities had not taken part in most development decisions and services.
He said they had been deprived their right to benefit from and contribute fully to the economy as citizens of Papua New Guinea.
Kapi made the appeal at the Rehabilitation Centre in Port Moresby during an address to mark National Day for Disabled Persons yesterday.
Kapi said governors and local leaders in  provinces and districts must personally embrace issues dealing with people living with disabilities as they were citizens with special needs.
He said people with disabilities had been missing out on services and opportunities from the government.
“People with disabilities and leaders must work together.
“I call on government authorities to establish bodies that will specifically address disability issues; a channel for people with disabilities to work with the government because they have special needs,” Kapi said.
A team from the NBDP will visit Enga province next week.
The team will meet disabled people and the Enga provincial government before presenting K200,000 worth of aids, including wheelchairs, waterbeds, water cushions, crutches and hearing aids.   
Kapi called on all disabled people to stand up and vote in the general election.