Persons Living with Disabilities: Urgent Call For Inclusion

A ccessibility, mobility, employ­ ment and civic participation remain major challenges for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) in Douala. This was revealed during a workshop in Douala on Sep­ tember 17 that saw the presentation of findings from a baseline study. The findings were revealed as part of the Advocacy Project for an In­ clusive Douala (PAI). The workshop brought together institutional sta­ keholders, including representatives of the Douala I, II, III, IV, V councils, as well as the Douala City Council and the Littoral Regional Council. While presenting the findings of the study, project management consul­ tant Timack Charles Bertin highligh­ ted major shortcomings in the ac­ cessibility of public infrastructure and services. According to the study, most public buildings remain inac­ cessible to persons living with disa­ bilities, while existing adaptations often fail to meet official technical standards. The study also points to inadequate sign language support and adapted signage in public facilities. This si­ tuation, participants noted, leaves people with hearing impairments de­ pendent on third parties to access basic public services. Another concern raised was the li­ mited participation of persons with disabilities in urban planning and decision-making processes that di­ rectly affect their daily lives. Timack Charles Bertin stressed that ensuring inclusion at the municipal level is not merely a social responsibility but a legal obligation arising from Ca­ meroon’s national and international ...