Rwanda joined the world in observing the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on December 3, with the theme “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.” The day celebration emphasised the need to empower people with disabilities to lead in shaping their destinies and contributing to society. In Rwanda, strides have been made in promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities across the political, socioeconomic and cultural domains. ALSO READ: People with disabilities outline top issues that need advocacy However, challenges remain. In an interview with The New Times, Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), outlined the progress and hurdles still faced by this community in various sectors. Education Ndayisaba acknowledged the notable progress in education for persons with disabilities, despite the persistent challenges. “While strides have been made, especially in increasing access to education for persons with disabilities, specific categories still face barriers,” he said. ALSO READ: How Rwanda is faring in special needs education Students with autism, for instance, often find education prohibitively expensive, limiting access for many, he said. Similarly, education for deaf-blind individuals remains inadequate, compounded by limited specialized resources and mental health support. These gaps highlight the need for more targeted interventions to make inclusive education a reality. Health The health sector has seen improvements, particularly in the availability of services for persons with disabilities who use the community-based health insurance scheme, Ndayisaba noted. Rehabilitation services, once centralized in referral hospitals, have now been decentralized to the district hospital level. “This decentralization is a significant milestone,” Ndayisaba noted. “We now have employees trained to provide these services at the district level, but challenges persist, particularly in terms of equipment and ensuring universal access to the services.” ALSO READ: People with disability reiterate call for affordable prostheses Efforts are underway to make assistive devices accessible under the Mutuelle de Santé scheme. “We are in discussions with the Rwanda Social Security Board and other partners to include these devices in the coverage,” he added. Employment Employment remains a pressing issue, with the number of persons with disabilities employed in both formal and informal sectors still low. While a national census for people with disability is underway to provide precise figures, complaints about workplace discrimination are common, Ndayisaba said. ALSO READ: Six things to know about census for people with disabilities “We have educated and capable individuals who meet all the criteria for employment, but negative mindsets hinder their inclusion,” Ndayisaba explained. He cited cases where candidates who pass exams are later disqualified due to their disabilities. ALSO READ: Employment challenges Persist for people with disabilities despite policy safeguards To address this, the NCPD is advocating for policy reforms that would require employers to include persons with disabilities in their workforce. “This approach has worked in other countries, and we believe it could improve opportunities here,” he emphasized. Infrastructure According to him, infrastructure is a sector where Rwanda has made commendable progress in ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. “Over the years, we have seen improvements in new buildings, which are now designed with accessibility in mind,” Ndayisaba said. These include ramps, elevators with audio guidance, and wheelchair-friendly roads, among other initiatives. ALSO READ: Transport operators urged to facilitate passengers with disabilities Public transport is also becoming more inclusive, with some buses now equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, he noted. However, these are currently limited to urban areas, primarily in Kigali. “We hope to see this expand nationwide in the future,” he added. Justice sector In the justice sector, informal agreements between the NCPD and the Rwanda Bar Association have ensured that persons with disabilities have access to legal representation. “We have trained lawyers to handle cases involving persons with disabilities, ensuring no one is denied justice,” Ndayisaba noted. While this is a positive development, he stressed the importance of embedding such practices in law to make them a national responsibility.
