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The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Jacob Mudenda, on Tuesday approved the Zimbabwe Head of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) submissions concerning the Disability Bill, where the church body raised a motion urging the parliament to produce Braille versions for Persons with Disability Bill before it is signed into law.
On the same submission, ZHOCD added that the Braille versions must be distributed to libraries, disabilities focused organizations, and government offices to ensure that all future legislative documents are available in accessible formats to enhance the participation of persons with disabilities.
Legislator Hon Karimatsenga Nyamupinga supported the submissions, appealing to the speaker for permission to revisit rural communities concerning the Disability Bill, arguing that public hearings failed to reach rural constituencies.
“The current public hearing structure conducted at provincial level did not reach the districts, it reached capital cities of provinces; it did not reach the grassroots. I think most Members in this House represent rural constituencies where public hearings did not reach.
So, the point of national interest here Hon. Speaker is, this process is not inclusive. It left out the very people demanding this Bill, who are residing in rural areas, but did not have the opportunity to also add their voices to this Bill. So, it is our appeal to you, Hon. Speaker, that you allow us to revisit, including the centers they did go,” he said.
Accepting the petition, submitted by Hon Nyamupinga and ZHOCD, through Cleopatra Nyaku and Tawanda Mafuta, Advocate Mudenda said the two petitions were to be referred to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for corrections.
Of late, ZHOCD has been moving in rural and urban areas, consulting persons with disabilities to share their plights, on areas they think should be improved on the Disability Bill.