Metro

Visually-impaired community calls for institutional support to overcome challenges of access to information

Published

4 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

Machisa Zimba, Coordinator of Community Based Inclusive Development Network (CBID) for the visually impaired, sheds light on the challenges hindering their access to information, and limiting their freedom of expression.

Among the hurdles highlighted by Zimba were the prohibitive costs of digital devices and the lack of supportive infrastructure systems, which impede their ability to express themselves freely.

When asked about his understanding of media freedom, Zimba, who is visually impaired, emphasized its essence in enabling media institutions and practitioners to disseminate information across various platforms, including print, electronic media, radio, television, and social media.

However, in an interview with Zambia Monitor in Chipata, Eastern Province, Zimba pointed out existing gaps in media freedom, particularly in how people with disabilities receive information.

He cited instances where visually impaired individuals were disadvantaged, such as when job opportunities are advertised on television without accommodating their needs.

Zimba stressed the importance of affordable digital tools to facilitate freedom of expression for persons with disabilities.

He underscored the challenge of accessing expensive devices designed to assist visually impaired communities in effectively expressing themselves.

Highlighting the exorbitant prices of such equipment, Zimba noted the significant information gap it creates for people with disabilities, exacerbated by the lack of local manufacturing.

Zimba noted that while smartphones were widely used, their high cost posed a barrier, especially for unemployed individuals with disabilities.

“Very few people know how to use these digital devices because they are expensive and they are not made in Zambia,” Zimba stressed.

He illustrated this with the example of a visually impaired person struggling to afford a smartphone priced at three thousand Kwacha.

“Imagine someone who doesn’t work, someone who is not well empowered, who is visually impaired, they cannot manage to buy a phone at three thousand Kwacha,” he mentioned.

Furthermore, Zimba pointed out the need for mainstream media to better cater to the needs of persons with disabilities.

He noted the lack of accessibility to newspapers for the visually impaired, stressing the importance of providing braille newspapers alongside print and digital formats.

Zimba highlighted the imperative of addressing these challenges to ensure equal access to information and freedom of expression for all members of society, regardless of their abilities.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

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Metro

Hope for persons with disability, as Muleya shares promising story of inclusivity in governance

Published

16 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Frederick John Muleya, a differently abled person based in Choma town, Southern Province, has shared some insights of changes being made to people like him in discussing freedom of expression and other various issues.

Recently appointed as a Ward Development Committee for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to represent persons with disabilities in his area, Muleya expressed optimism of inclusivity and freedom of expression.

He expressed believe that this was a starting point for persons with disabilities to have a platform which can be used to discuss critical issues such as freedom of expression.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Choma, Muleya’s hope was that persons with disabilities would now be able to have freedom of expression, especially through media coverage.

“In terms of freedom, right now there are some changes but before this government, it was very difficult. The new government is trying to be inclusive with persons with disabilities. There are some changes.

“Sometimes, we have been called to Choma Mano [radio station in Choma] to express ourselves and say what we want from the government. The media is not really giving us a platform to express ourselves, but they are trying,” he said.

Asked if he felt persons with disabilities were fully included regarding freedom of expression, Muleya said; “Not yet included but there are some changes. There are some promises, as I said earlier, it is the first time to include persons with disability in the CDF committee.

“So, we see some changes that maybe in future things will not be the same as they were before.”

Meanwhile, Muleya emphasised the need for public places, including media entities to consider putting slops for people living with disabilities in their building.

“We find that measurements of the doors, a person using a wheelchair cannot use the toilet, so when people are planning to build structures, we have to be included so that we decide together,” he said.

Muleya’s views show signs of improvement in freedom of expression by the government to ensure that people living with disabilities are included in the decision-making process.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt to open student loan application portal May 24

Published

18 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian government has announced that the portal for the long awaited student loan scheme will open on May 24, 2024, under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).

The announcement which was made in a statement on Thursday by the media lead for the NELFund, Nasir Ayantogo, stated that once the portal is opened, eligible student will have the opportunity of applying for educational loans.

Ayantogo said the opening of the application portal marked a significant milestone in the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students.

The portal, according Ayantogo, provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently.

“Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

“We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation.

“Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application,” the statement said.

President Bola Tinubu had, on June 12, 2023, signed the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, into law to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans for their educational pursuits in any Nigerian tertiary institution.

The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to process all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

While signing the Act into law, Tinubu had said:

“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.

“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.

“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFund to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he had said.

Tinubu had said that he based his decision on the need for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue a university education, noting that skill acquisition is as essential as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.