Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has taken a major step towards strengthening disability inclusion, with government and international partners reaffirming their commitment to standardizing the National Disability Identification, Assessment, and Determination Framework during a two-day validation workshop held in Harare.
Speaking after the workshop, Ms. Lizzie Chourombo, Acting Director of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, said the framework will revolutionize how the country registers and supports persons with disabilities.
“This document will enable us to register people with disabilities and put them in one database so that, as a country, we know who has a disability, where they are, and what their needs are, as well as how we can assist them. It also helps us when working on inclusive budgets that cater for all needs,” Chourombo said.
She explained that the tools are designed to ensure no one is left behind, particularly those in remote areas.
Once registered, persons with disabilities will be better positioned to access tailored support such as education, empowerment loans, and other services aimed at promoting independent and sustainable living.
The validation workshop brought together a wide range of participants, including government ministries, departments and agencies, directors of gender and inclusivity, non-governmental organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and representatives from the United Nations family.
Ms. Imerovic Hodeic Selena, an International Disability Inclusion Consultant who guided the process, highlighted the importance of aligning Zimbabwe’s framework with global standards.
“My role was to provide guidance in developing the national framework for assessment, determination, and eligibility for persons with disabilities. First, we had to ensure the framework is harmonized and standardized, not belonging to a single ministry, since multiple ministries are involved. After that, it must fit into international standards,” she said.
She added that the framework not only seeks to harmonize processes across government institutions but also to ensure that people with disabilities can access benefits and services without barriers.
“The event was absolutely beautiful and engaging, with great understanding among government ministries and stakeholders, who were all in support of the initiative. We look forward to the next steps in completing the framework based on the inputs shared here,” Selena said.
The National Disability Identification, Assessment, and Determination Tools are designed to create a reliable database of persons with disabilities across Zimbabwe.
This will enhance evidence-based planning, resource allocation, and inclusive policy-making, while ensuring people with disabilities can claim their rights and access opportunities on equal footing with others.
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