NUOD Urges Government To Ensure Rights For PWDs Under UN Statue

By Lloydson G. Flomo

MONROVIA, Nov. 5 (LINA) – The National Union of Organizations of Disabled (NUOD), through its President, Peter Blessing Flomo, has called on the Government of Liberia (GOL) to ensure the prompt implementation of Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Section 5 of the Act establishing the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD).

Speaking during a press conference in Monrovia on Friday, November 1, 2024, Flomo highlighted the continued lack of full enforcement of various provisions within these mandates, particularly those focused on securing employment rights for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Article 27 of the UNCRPD obliges state parties to recognize the right of PWDs to work on an equal basis with others. This includes ensuring access to freely chosen or accepted employment opportunities in an open, inclusive, and accessible work environment.

According to him, Liberia ratified the UNCRPD, signaling its commitment to these principles, but much work remains in translating these commitments into practice.

In line with Article 27, Section 5 of the NCD Act, the government is mandated to accord at least 4% of employment in government ministries, agencies, corporations, and the private sector to PWDs.

Flomo pointed out that this requirement has seen minimal implementation, leading to limited job placement and insufficient empowerment programs for disabled citizens.

He urged the Government of Liberia to ensure that employment quotas are observed, paving the way for PWDs to access sustainable vocational training, higher education, and small and medium enterprise opportunities.

The NUOD President also appealed for the deployment of sign language interpreters and disability advisors in the offices of Liberia’s President, Vice President, President Pro Tempore, Speaker, Chief Justice, and other key ministries and agencies.

This measure, he argued, would improve communication access and policy inclusion for PWDs, especially within decision-making circles.

Furthermore, he called on the government, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to revive the annual celebration of events that raise disability awareness, specifically citing White Cane Safety Day, International Week of the Deaf, and International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDD) as crucial occasions to spotlight the rights and contributions of PWDs in Liberia.

"All public and private buildings, including sidewalks, must be made accessible to PWDs so that Liberia can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," he urged.

He stressed that creating accessible infrastructure is essential for enabling PWDs to participate fully in society.

Flomo also called on the Government of Liberia to increase the NCD’s fiscal budget, arguing that additional funds are necessary for effective program implementation and to cover operational and administrative expenses. This budgetary boost, he suggested, would support initiatives aimed at advocating for and protecting the rights of disabled Liberians.

NUOD is a civil society organization dedicated to championing the rights of PWDs in Liberia. As a leading advocate, NUOD works to address the needs of disabled individuals across various spectrums, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, and wheelchair bound.