The author of this opinion article says that the disabled should be given equal consideration for job opportunities in South Sudan since many disabled can function effectively on the job.

Disability is not inability and persons with disability should be respected and regarded well. I intend to focus on the low prospect of employment of disabled people within the public and private sector, with the view of urging our leadership to seriously consider the issue of the disabled affirmatively when it comes to employment.

For some time, I have observed with dismay unilateral discriminatory barriers in our society where the destiny of persons with disabilities is always concluded to a gloomy oblivion.

Generally, people with disabilities are normal working people, who may need a little more help in certain situations. They should be treated equally and be given the same opportunities as other citizens.

Although the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities recognizes the right to work on an equal basis with others, too many persons with disabilities of working age do not have the opportunity to get a decent job. In developing countries, up to 90% of persons with disabilities are unemployed, with significant consequence to their wellbeing.

In terms of employment, which is my main interest as I intend to fight stigmatization, let us focus mainly on what many employers ought to know; that employing persons with disabilities is not charity, it is not a privilege, nor a sympathetic gesture. It is actually in good sense of professionalism, where the physically impaired could compete on equal basis with their opposite counterparts.

Let’s stress that they have equal rights and are valuable resources that are good for any required output in the public or private sector. More importantly, I implore my fellow countrymen to advocate and disseminate that disability is NOT inability whatever the circumstance. 

The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made are the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.