Disability DiscriminationDisability discrimination in simple terms is a situation whereby a person with impairment is not equally treated on accord of his/her condition. In the picture below a woman with disabilities on a wheelchair is afraid of dangerous steps.
The persons with disability act 1996 of Zambia aims to end the discrimination that many persons with impairments face. It gives persons with impairments rights in the areas of: • Discrimination in employment • Discrimination in learning institutions • Facilities for special schools • Special fund for repair of schools • Tax rebate • Adjustment order-To make adjustments to buildings so that persons with dsiabilities have access. What does prejudice mean for Christabel? At family level Christabel has been discriminated against on a number of things. She was not going to church with the rest of the family for a very long time. Christabel practiced self advocacy by putting her foot down and demanded that she should be part of the family when going to church on regular basis. This was accepted some three years ago and now she is regular at church. She is normally denied overnight visits during school holidays. However, sometimes she is allowed to go for holidays to some close relatives and friends homes. Knowingly or unknowingly she is over protected by the parents. Sometimes other people eat first before Christabel is given her food. We have minimised this by insisting on having family meals together. We encourage to take turns to pray before and after the meals and she is included in this celebration. The other children may be playing outside but she is left out on accord of her disability. Other subtle bias against Christabel is when buying clothes for her. As parents we tend to buy what we think is good for her without consulting her. In future we will ensure that she is fully involved in choosing what to buy.
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