By DisabilityNewsGH
A visually impaired poet and voice-over artiste, Mr. Fareed Gombilla, says he is unhappy with the Ghanaian media for stereotyping persons with disabilities as people who know nothing else apart from their conditions.
He complains that the only time the Ghanaian media remember to interview persons with disabilities is when something comes up about disability; a situation he describes as unfortunate.
Mr. Gombilla who is also a social worker with the Krowor Municipal Assembly in Accra, announces that persons with disabilities have other interests too.
He says, persons with disabilities also have interest in politics, sports, technology and all aspects of life, and it would be good to seek their opinions on any current affair at all.
Mr. Fareed Gombilla made the call at a Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF ’22) organised by Paradigm Initiative in Accra, in collaboration with Inclusive Tech Group and Internet Society Ghana, on April 25 and 26, 2022.
Disability rights advocates always complain about this media stereotype and how it draws back their advocacy campaign.
They are of the view that the continuous stereotype by the media fuels the age-long erroneous perception that persons with disabilities cannot be productive.
They believe that if persons with disabilities are invited to breakfast shows and other current affairs programmes, it will make the public appreciate their knowledge and capabilities, which will help drum home the message that disability in not inability.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH