Handicapped to receive representation

NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE— local authorities have been asked to conduct a census of all people in the sector living with disabilities, as elections for the representatives of the disabled from the sector, district and the national levels shall be complete by 15 December 2007. Five people shall be elected to represent four categories of the disabled, the deaf, mute, physically handicapped and mentally handicapped. 180 members are expected to be elected to the general assembly, from whom a member shall be elected to represent the disabled to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). This announcement was made by Godance Mukeshimanan, the coordinator of the Rwanda National Decade Steering Committee for the Disabled (RNDSCD), while meeting the local authorities. She said that the campaign is intended to empower the disabled to join decision-making forums in order to address the numerous economic and social challenges faced by the disabled. Kalimba Evarest, a director in the ministry of local government in charge of general development, revealed that a Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) shall be introduced to the sectors as well. The forums will promote participatory planning processes based on community needs. He asked local authorities to identify basic community priorities in poverty alleviation programs and services delivery for the disabled. Ends