DOCUMENTS
Our Motto: "Nothing about us without us"
Disability - Ability Today Newsletter
1st Edition June 2012
A quarterly Newsletter of the National Disability Council of Namibia
Content
Preface 2
NDCN in brief 4
NDCN background 10
Polytechnic to offer training on disability 12
Comic strip- Facing the Challenges 16
Council functions and activities since 2011 17
MOU to facilitate employment 20
Disability - Ability today in pictures 22
Mr. Martin Nyambe Limbo
Director: NDCN
Final Editor: Disability - Ability today
Preface
Dear esteemed readers and people with disabilities in the land of the brave.
I thank you once again for your unweavering support during the fall of 2011, and beginning of 2012. Without you, this Council could have not been established, let alone its Secretariat. Allow me to thank our Founding Chairperson of the Council, Honourable Alexia Manombe Ncube (M.P), who dedicated herself together with the entire founding Council to push for the appointment of the staff of the Council as provided for in Section 13 (2) (a) of the National Disability Council Act, No 26 of 2004.
The Council is now established and we assure you, that it has come along with significant and numerous opportunities for your advancement. We want to encourage all the people we serve to be committed to achieving the Council's objectives with us and to be involved wholeheartedly in assisting the Council to address various challenges such as exclussion of people with disabilities in the overall mainstream socio-economic environment, accessibility to buildings, information and technological advancement of the world we live in.
My office further reiterates that failure will be history with your support. Make use of the Council to challenge unfair and exclusive legislation, unfair discrimination, ambiguos and mushrooming of laws, and issues that vividly exclude or have no regard for the disability constituency and are unconsititutional and prejudiced.
The fight for equalisation of opportunities and for recognising disability as a developmental and human rights issue begins with your step to the Council. My office will not rest until our cause is addresed in this country. Though people with disabilities together with their fervent leadership are few, we reiterate that we shall continue to stand and continue to advocate for issues related to disability.
People with disabilities should never again accept to be merely part of census statistics while benefiting nothing from the mainstream economy of the state.
I thus encourage all readers and people with disabilities to learn something from reading this mouth piece we have developed and collaborate with the Council and the ntire disability movement in Namibia, in ensuring that issues related to disability are tackled with passion.
I thank you.
Disability- Ability today in brief
" The NDCN registers cases of discrimination
The National Disability Council has registered 22 cases of people that were discriminated against because of their disability.
The Council is mandated by the National Disability Council Act, Section 4 (1) (c) to represent any person with disability before any organ of state, provide or procure legal assistance for any persons that face discriminated against due to their disability.
The registered cases date back to 2004, when the Act was promulgated to date. The Council will procure legal representation to take up the cases.
" Five organisations to be recommended for funding
The National Disability Council has identified five social welfare organisations, which will be recommended to the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Development Bank of Namibia for review and possible funding.
The organisations have business ventures that benefit people with disabilities.
" NDCN assists students with disabilities to enrol at academic institutions
Eight students with disabilities have been admitted to the University of Namibia and Polytechnic after the National Disability Council wrote letters to the institutions of higher learning asking them to relax their entry requirements.
The Council advertised in the media early this year calling for students with disabilities interested in studying at the institutions to collect letters that would enable the institutions relax the entry requirements.
" NDCN to construct new offices
Plans are underway for the construction of the National Disability Council's offices. Building plans have been developed and will be presented to the City of Windhoek for approval and allocation of even.
The Council presently operates from Sanlam Building, which is inaccessible to PWD and does not have enough space to accommodate all the staff members of the Council adequately. The current staff complement is seven, but when fully operational, the Council will have 32 staff members. The Council has recorded significant progress on this project, and an Exit strategy, bending schedule, design layouts and building plans have been completed and are to be submitted to relevant authorities soon.
Caption: Scale drawings of the envisaged Council Secretariat offices, ready for submission to the City Council for consideration in allocation of an erf. Note: The project is estimated at N$ 34 Million Namibian Dollars.
" Inaccessible buildings to be levied?
The National Disability Council of Namibia is looking at ways to make amendments to the National Disability Act 2004 to mandate it to levy all buildings that are not accessible to people with disabilities.
According to NDCN Director, Martin Limbo, the Council will target any structure both business and household that is inaccessible to the disability constituency. Such buildings will be levied and the money deposited into a fund that will fund redesigns of such structures.
The first draft of the plan drawn up by consultants in this regard is ready and being reviewed by the council and organisations for people with Disabilities for input. Once this is done, the plan will be referred to legal drafters for the amendments to the Act.
NDCN participation in UNCRPD workshop organised jointly with OPM
The Council actively participated in the formulation of United Nations Conventions on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which the Namibian Government ratified and is a signatory to.
The workshop was held at NIPAM in Windhoek, from 5-8 March 2012, and it was well represented with the attraction of various stakeholders and participants from all 13 Regions of the Republic of Namibia, dealing with People with Disabilities. The Council provided transport and logistical support required to delegates during the workshop.
Caption: Above members from various OPD's and Organisations for People with Disabilities attending the UNCRPD workshop, held from 05-08 March 2012.
" Database for PWD being established
The Council's Research and Development division is in the process of establishing a database of all people with disabilities in the 13 regions of this country.
The initiative will involve the registration of all PWD and their individual profiles. Deputy Director for Research and Development at the NDCN, Tjiueza Tjombumbi says the database will enable the council to have vital information such as the number of PWD and their qualifications and skills, which will assist the council in serving the constituency better.
" JICA sponsors business and leadership training
A delegate from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in March 2012, visited the National Disability Council of Namibia and held meetings with the NDCN management. JICA is currently sponsoring Disability management training programs including business entrepreneurship and leadership training for all People with Disabilities in Namibia. Namibia has benefited significantly from JICA training programs. Since 2004, almost 27 people with disabilities have been sent for training in Japan.
The delegate, Mrs Yahoko based in Pretoria, South Africa's visit to Namibia was based on a familiarisation and fact finding mission to consolidate and identify potential training areas which the Namibian Disability movement would still need in the near future. Her visit was also aimed at identifying any shortcomings or challenges faced by PWD's in accessing JICA intiative training programs.
Caption: Right: Mr Tjiueza Tjombumbi, and Mr Martin Limbo, during the deliberations at the JICA meeting in Cabinet chambers of the Office of the Prime Minister.Left: Group Discussions during the JICA meeting in the Cabinet Chambers-OPM.
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Caption: Mrs Yahoko addressing delegates at Cabinet Chambers: Office of the Prime Minister during her familiarisation visit to Namibia.
NDCN Director, NDCN secretary to management and Deputy Director: Research and Development visit to OPD's and Service Providers.
NDCN visits OPD's and Service Providers.
The NDCN Director, the Secretary to management, Mrs Joana Beirao-Newaya and the Deputy Director for Research and Development, Mr Tjiueza Tjombumbi conducted familiarisation and fact finding visits to all Organisations of People with Disabilities, service providers and instittuions rendering services and support to People with disabilities. the purpose of the visits were to establish factual expectations of OPD's and Service Providers from the Council, and expectations of the Council from OPD's and Service providers among its agenda items. Visits were conducted from 29 March 2012 up to 17 March 2012. However the Council could not complete its visits and a few organisations were not vited during the above mentioned period, but visits are scheduled to commence in June 2012 to carter for those organisations that were not visited during the first quarter.
The following organisations were visited,
NAPPD, NADAWO,Oponganda, Ehafo, Onyose, NNAD, and ClaSH, during the first quarter.
The following were identified as organisations to be visited during the second quarter,
Albino Trust of Namibia, NFPDN, NACD, Dagbreek, Special Needs Network, Moreson, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Oponganda, and Directorate: Special education in the Ministry of Education.
Caption of visits to OPD's and Service Providers: (Left) Trainees with disabilities in the Woodwork Dept of Ehafo Vocational Education Center showing the NDCN Director skills learnt so far at the center. Here they practice the making of wooden picture frames with ease. (Right) Ms Manyando of Clash and Mr. Tjiueza Tjombumbi, NDCN Deputy Director listening attentively to presentations during a visit to Clash.
National Disability Council - Background
The National Disability Council was established by an Act of Parliament- National Disability Council Act, No 26 of 2004. The Disability movement in Namibia was ignited by the continuous ignorance on the side of Govnernment in re-alligning disability issues with the overall socio-economic aspects of the country. This mismatch was perpetuated by the errors of the apartheid and racist government administration of the Republic of South Africa, to which Namibia was admistered as a third province.
In essence, people with disabilities from minority groups suffered double discsrimination, firstly as blacks, coloureds, Indians, Asians, women, children, or due to creed and regional difererencecs. In addition, they were again denied access to physical infrustructures, information or buildings due to their unique disabilities.
Due to this, new intervention programs aimed at equalising all citizens were enhanced and acknowledged in the new Constitution. Between 1995 and 1996, a group of Namibians with disabilities got in touch with their counter parts in parts of Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and the Pacific regions. The earliest disability movement practitioners recorded during that time were Mr. Gerson Mutendere (Now Secretary General of the NFPDN), Mr. Tjiueza Tjombumbi (Now Deputy Director: Research and Development, at the National Disability Council of Namibia), Mrs Alexia Ncube (Chairperson of the National Disability Council of Namibia and Member of Parliament) and Mr. Manfred !Howaeb (Administrator: General Services at the National Disability Council of Namibia)
This led to the birth of the National Federation of people with Disabilities in Namibia, and Mr Gerson Mutendere was thus appointed as its first Secretary General, NFPDN. The Federation led to the formation of various OPD's (Organizations of People with Disabilities), which in turn and as a group began to loby, advocate and inspire ideals and rights of people with disabilities in Namibia.
With genuine support, courage and dedication of the aforementioned founding members of the movement, government was put under tremendous pressure which culminated in the creation of the first Disability Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister reporting straight to the Premier. Later, the rulling SWAPO Party allocated a seat in National Assembly to a person with a disability. The Unit in the office of the Prime Minister is charged with ensuring that policy making and principles of the Public Service Charter are in line with requirements of people with disabilities.
In 1997, the Namibian Governemnbt adopted the National Policy on Disability.
Within this meaningful framework, there was a critical need to formulate and professionalise the disability movement in Namibia, and thus the only way was to establish a legal entity aiming at ensuring that provisions of the National Policy on Disability are adhered to. Thus Parliament enacted the National Disability Council of Namibia in 2004, Act No 26 of 2004.
The Act was only formally promulgated by the President of the Republic of Namibia in 2008. Since then the Council elected its own Council Members in a manner provided for by Section (5) (1) of the National Disability Council Act, No 26 of 2004. Council members began to perform their duties in the absence of a secretariat and funding was placed under the Directorate of Social Welfare Services until the appointment of administrative staff members as from January 2011.
The proactive approach in the Namibian disability movement persists and remains critical for the movement to acknowledge that the Council is not only the highest office of appeal in the movement but is also a genuine and authentic representative of people with disabilities in Namibia. The Council is therefore charged with coordinating all activities required in order to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities. It should also ensure that all activities are in line with provisions of the UN conventions on the Rights of People with Disabilities which Namibia ratified, the African Decade Plan of Action for people with Disabilities.
The Council should also serve the disability constituency by addressing politcal challenges and issues related to changes in legislation from time to time. It also avails a genuine opportunity to access first hand legilative laws, acts of Parliament and any other laws that have to pass through Parliament. Therefore we look up to Honourable Alexia Ncube as our advocate in the National Assembly.
The SWAPO party is the only political party which has so far allocated a Parliamentary seat to a person with disabilities. The Council wishes to encourage other politcal parties to emulate this example in oirder for Namibia to become a socitey for all.
Polytechnic to offer training on disability
The Polytechnic of Namibia and the National Disability Council of Namibia have developed programmes aimed at training people to offer better services to people with disabilities.
This move was realised after the academic institution and the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently to enable the Polytechnic's Centre for Entrepreneurship provide training to officers and individuals in government agencies, non governmental organisations and individuals who deal with and support people with disabilities.
The training will among others focus on disability mainstreaming, good governance, NGO management, leadership development, basic entrepreneurship, information technology and computer literacy.
At the signing ceremony, Director of Social Welfare Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Batseba Katjioungua said this was in keeping with the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which expects countries to create equal opportunities for PWD in self employment, entrepreneurship and development of cooperatives.
"The Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities has introduced a shift of approaches, not only medical and social approaches, but also Human Rights approach. Initiating education and training programmes of various types for the benefit of people with disabilities and introducing continuing training programmes for those professional and staff working with them, as well as those in the field of administration of justice, including police, and correctional services staff is one way of abiding by the provisions of the Convention," she said.
The director called on permanent secretaries of ministries to support the initiative by availing their staff for training as this would provide them with a better understanding of the needs of PWD and how their needs could be accommodated.
Katjioungua also encouraged those working in the area of disability to look for partnerships across continents as these would enable them learn and share experiences which are valuable in dealing with disability issues.
At the same event, founding chairperson of the National Disability Council of Namibia and Member of Parliament Alexia Manombe-Ncube said it was important to mainstream disability because Namibia is party to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities which made it a requirement to report on the achievements and challenges made on its implementations.
Additionally, the country has also adopted a National Policy on Disability which requires the inclusion of PWD within the work of government bodies.
She hailed the MOU between the two institutions as one initiative that would facilitate the speedy inclusion o people with disabilities.
Caption: NDCN Director Martin Limbo and Polytechnic Rector Professor Tjama Tjivikua sign an MOU which will lead to the Polytechnic offering training on disability. Looking on is Parliamentarian Alexia Manombe-Ncube.
Caption: Top picture, NDCN Director, Martin Limbo and the Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, Dr Tjama Tjivikua exchanging the milestone agreement after signing. Looking on is, Honourable Alexia Manombe Ncube, Founding Chairperson and Patron of the National Disability Council of Namibia Strategic plan.
Caption: Bottom left, NDCN Director, Martin Limbo delivering his background speech of the MOU. Bottom right, NDCN Director and Prof Tjivikua of Polytechnic of Namibia cementing the agreement with their signatures, while Honourable Alexia Ncube looks on.
Functions of the National Disability Council of Namibia
1. To monitor the implementation of the National Disability policy;
2. To identify provisions in any law which may hinder the implementation of the policy and make recommendations in that regard;
3. To advise people responsible for the enforcement of existing legislation which provides for equal opportunities for all people in Namibia on the enforcement of the legislation;
4. To comment on proposed legislation which may affect persons with disabilities;
5. Consult with people with disabilities, their organisations as well as service providers in order to obtain necessary information on the implementation of the policy;
6. To initiate amendments to the National Policy on Disability in order to ensure that it takes account of changing circumstances;
7. To take necessary steps to improve the situation of persons with disabilities.
Activities of the Council since its establishment
1. Familiarization visits to Regional and Local authorities
The council after its establishment undertook visits to all Regional and Local Authority offices in all the regions. Among the regions visited were Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Khomas, Omusati, Ohangwana and Erongo. Visits were scheduled to continue during the 2011/12 financial year but got shortly interrupted by the under funding from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
2. Official launch of NDCN Offices
The event took place on the 3rd of June 2011 at the Zoo Park and was also organized to serve as a platform for raising awareness on issues of disability. Minister of Health and Social Services, Honourable Dr. Richard Kamwi was the key note speaker at the ceremony, which was also attended by Permanent Secretaries from various Ministries and representatives of Organisations of People with Disabilities including the National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia.
3. Strategic planning workshops
The National Disability Council of Namibia has a Strategic Plan which will guide its activities in the next five years. Workshops to deliberate on the plan were conducted last year in May and July in Oshakati and Mariental respectively.
4. Training
The Council sent some of its staff members for training in order to improve their knowledge and skills in their areas of work in order to enhance their work performance. Mr Manfred !Howaeb was exposed to two types of training in Tender board management and budget and budget control, while Mrs Joana Beirao was trained in customer care, effective management skills, report and minute writing.
5. National Disability Day - Katima Mulilo
The day was celebrated at Katima Mulilo on the 10th June 2011 under the theme "Full participation and equality in education, training and development for People with Disabilities". It was attended by some of the NDCN's staff members, five Council members, and representatives of the NFPDN.
6. Windhoek Show
NDCN resolved to take part in the Windhoek Show 2011 to create awareness on disability issues. The show was a resounding success and our expectations were met
7. International Visits
International visits were made to Mexico and New Zealand respectively. A delegation of seven people went to Mexico from 21-25 February 2011, while eight others travelled to New Zealand during the same dates. The visits were quite successful and delegates came back very knowledgeable and informed in the area of disability related issues.
Caption: NDCN Director Mr Martin Limbo (Left), posing for a picture with a member from the Mexican Disability Movement-CONADIS, during the Council international visit to Mexico in February-March 2011. To the right is Mr Samuele Samuele who was serving as sign language interpreter during the visit.
MOU to facilitate the employment of PWD in the Diamond sector
The National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) will in the near future sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a diamond cutting and polishing company to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in Namibia.
The diamond company, Schachter and Namdar is located in the Prosperita Industrial Area. Presently, the two organisations have a smart partnership, which has resulted in the employment of 16 people with disabilities (PWD) at the diamond cutting and polishing company.
The Council recognises Schachter and Namdar as a Good Will Ambassador of the Disability Movement due to the role it is playing in recognising the abilities of people with disabilities in the country.
The diamond company is so far deemed the biggest employer of PWD.
The two organisations will be represented by their directors Martin Limbo, (Director of NDCN) and Marc Friedman (Director of Schachter and Namdar) at the signing of the MOU sometime in June.
The MOU stipulates, that Schachter and Namdar will employ wheel chair users and people with other kinds of disabilities and train them in diamond cutting and polishing with the guidance of the National Disability Council as and when these employees are needed.
The diamond company will also provide on the job training to people with disabilities and equip them with skills for them to perform in different units as well as prepare them for future company challenges and assignments.
As when needed, the diamond company will authorise the Council to perform Human Resource processes such as short listing, screening and recommending PWD for appointment in the company.
The layout of the factory is conducive and accessible to wheelchair users as it is on a single storey and is accessible on a single level with double doors and extra wide passages.
In addition, the Schachter and Namdar will undertake to make necessary changes to its factory to accommodate prospective wheel chair users employed at the company in terms of:
" Toilets being installed according to their specifications.
" Polishing benches will be adapted in terms of height and tool racks being moved for easy usage.
" Transport arrangements for wheelchair users in an adapted vehicle to and from agreed points close to their areas of residence.
However, the Council will not be involved in matters relating to collective bargaining or conditions of service of the employees as this will be left to Schachter and Namdar management, relevant recognized unions or exclusive bargaining agents of the company.
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Upcoming events
National Disability Day Commemoration : 10 June 2012
Launch of the NDCN 5 year Strategic Plan : 10 June 2012
Launch of the NDCN Website : 06 June 2012
NDCN Gala Dinner : 10 June 2012
Familiarization visits to
OPD's and Service Providers : 11-27 June 2012
Survey and Data Collection
(PWD's- All 13 Regions) : July-Sept 2012
Council Master Plan : July-August 2012
Launch of the Newsletter : June 2012
Launch of the Disability mainstreaming
Booklet. : June 2012
Disability - Ability today in Pictures
NDCN's contact details
National Disability Council of Namibia,
P.O Box 26047,
Windhoek.
Tel: 061 225 910 /13
Fax: 061 224 117
Office no. 928-29
9th floor, Sanlam Centre,
Independence Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia
Preparation and editing done by: Mrs Wezi Tjaronda- Independent Journalist: Cell Number, 0812800076. Comic strip, provided by Mrs. Rachel Coomer: Legal Assistance Centre, Contact Number, 0813552862.
Final Editing by, Mr. Martin Nyambe Limbo; Director: National Disability Council of Namibia.
Copyright: NDCN © 06/2012
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