Persons with disabilities have accused the government of side-lining them in the dissemination of critical information regarding the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
“Persons with disabilities were a group that was at risk of contracting the disease as they were less informed of the global pandemic.” said, MDC Alliance secretary for disabilities, Dennis Mudzingwa.
He went on to urge the government to ensure that, going forward, sign language and other learning material for persons with disabilities was availed for them not to miss out and become victims due to lack of necessary awareness information.
“Avail information on COVID-19 in sign language including information that is aired on national television. Ensure that hospitals and all the other public institutions have sign language in place so that persons who are deaf and hearing impaired can get timely services,” said Mudzingwa.
He said in most cases, persons with disabilities ended victims due to lack of relevant awareness information.
According to Mudzingwa, people with hearing disabilities were still unaware of how COVID-19 was spread and most persons with disabilities were not maintaining social distancing as they have missed out on government-sponsored awareness campaigns.
