People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments resulting from physical or mental health conditions.

These may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

In our society, persons affected by disabilities suffer various challenges including stigma and discrimination. On one hand, the disabled struggle with symptoms and disabilities that result from diseases, natural causes and others.

They are also are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about their situation. As a result of both, PWDs are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life: Good jobs, safe housing, satisfactory healthcare, and affiliation with a diverse group of people.

Social psychologists and sociologists say the impact of stigma and discrimination is two-fold: Public as well as self-inflicted.

The challenges facing people with disabilities are therefore varied and could be in the form of violation of human-rights, poverty, stigma, discrimination and exclusion.

Barrier

Disability is closely associated with poverty and has been seen to be a barrier to education, employment, access to public services and social protection.

In most cases, disability has been addressed through charitable approaches without the recognition of the rights and participation of PWDs, like other citizens.

The government needs to take up various steps towards addressing the challenges PWDs face in the country, including failure by the same to actively participate in the socioeconomic activities of the society.

Government agencies should be empowered logistically to intensify their effort in sensitising communities on disability issues as this will help reduce the erroneous impression some persons hold about disability, especially the causes.

Now is the time for the enactment of policies and programmes to ensure that all people can share in life at every level in particular persons with disabilities.

In that regard, there is a need to take concrete steps to reduce stigma through advocacy efforts, public awareness campaigns, research, and policy. Over the past decade, Rwanda has accomplished a lot through tenacity.

The same dedication that has brought us this far must be applied to decreasing stigma and promoting social inclusion in our society. It will require a devoted, concerted effort, but we know from past successes that by working together we can achieve great things.

Perhaps more importantly, there is a need to enact and fully implement and enforce the Disability Act to compel the government, society, parents and guardians to provide all the needed infrastructure and resources to promote their social well-being and functioning of persons with disabilities.