Sightsavers, a nonprofit in Ghana, calls on media organizations to make their content accessible to persons with disabilities.
“The media could use Assistive technology such as screen readers for blind people, sign language interpreters on TV screens, and make media content accessible to all types of persons with disabilities.” said Peter Anomah-Kordieh, Programmes Advisor at Sightsavers.
Mr Anomah-Kordieh advised at a media training workshop and Disability and Mental Health Inclusion, dubbed: Ghana Participation Programme, a UK Aid funded programme.
Mr Anomah-Kordieh took participants through acceptable language to use when reporting on disability and urged the participants to seek clarification from persons with disabilities themselves when reporting about them.
He urged the media to seek knowledge on the appropriate local language description for persons with disabilities, saying, most of the words and the proverbs used in the local language are derogatory to persons with disabilities.
According to Basic Needs Ghana, Mr Fred Nantogmah, Knowledge Management and Communications Officer, said the media should not condone ableism and tokenism when reporting disability issues.
