Office for People with Disabilities operational

source: Republic of Botswana (14/3/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 4 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C10) 12/3/10: OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OPERATIONAL

The Office of the President would like to announce that the Office of People with Disabilities (OPD) is fully operational in the Office of President. The Coordinator is Mr Thomas T. Motingwa who has been involved with various organisations of people with disabilities amongst which were: Young Christian Association (YCA); Gaborone Disabled Persons Society; Paralympics Association of Botswana (PAB), Botswana Council of People with the Disability; nominated Councillor for Gaborone City Council in 1999 etc.

The Office is mandated to develop and coordinate the implementation of policies and programmes of people with disabilities, guided by National Policy on Care for People with Disabilities. The OPD is responsible for liaising with stakeholders including relevant government Ministries and people with disabilities on assisting and administering best practices for assisting the disabled. It is also charged with reviewing the Seretse Khama Memorial Fund seeking to establish if the Fund could assist the disabled with sustainable income generating projects. The Seretse Khama Memorial Fund has been assisting with the provision of appliances such as wheelchairs to people with disabilities.

Since its establishment the Office has already helped about 5 people with disabilities to find employment at Choppies Superstores across the country. The Office is currently working with health facilities around the country to locate and develop a data base of people with disabilities.

The public can contact the Office at: Coordinator - Office for People with Disabilities - Private Bag 001, Gaborone, Botswana, Tel: 3950887, Email: disabilityop@gov.bw