Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPID) has commended government for the proposed increase of transport allowance for persons Living with disabilities (PWD) in the civil service from current twenty percent to thirty-five percent, following the projected salary increment for 2025.
Speaking in an Interview with ZANIS, ZAPID Public Relations Officer Racheal Chako explains that the move is commendable as it will enhance and improve mobility services for Persons with disabilities who continue to face various challenges with mobility, thereby enabling them to remain efficient in-service delivery.
“Most of the Persons with Disabilities face various mobility challenges with transportation, which is evident from the available public transport which are not customised to cater for persons with disabilities which in some cases has had an impact on service delivery for this population,” Chako explained.
“But with this salary increment, which has also trickled towards an increased allocation for transport allowance, Persons with Disabilities now have an alternative of transportation to use which will help improve their efficiency in the public sector,” she added.
Zambia Union of Government and Allied Workers announced that the government had agreed to a salary increment across the board of K500.
Further, government has agreed to increase the transport allowance for persons with Disabilities from twenty percent to thirty-five percent, among other increments.
And Ms Chako has also commended government on the issuance of Circular number 30 of 2024 on accessibility for persons with Disabilities in public spaces, which requires that all public buildings should enhance accessibility for persons with Disabilities by installing, and modifying public spaces to ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
“This directive is progressive and calls for implementation of things like ramps with handrails to aid in mobility for those with physical challenges; accessible toilets, lifts, and Information Education Communication (ICE) materials for persons with hearing impairment to be installed in public places. If adhered to, this circular will promote the dignity and independence for persons with disabilities,” she added.
She has since urged stakeholders to adhere to this directive and ensure all public buildings are restructured to accommodate persons with disabilities.
