In a direct and non-partisan appeal to the legislature, leaders of Ghana’s disability movement have urged Members of Parliament to recognise the universal vulnerability of human health, reminding them that disability is a condition that can affect any family, at any time.
The appeal was made during a national press briefing in Accra on Friday, 10 July 2026, as advocates pushed for the swift passage of the draft Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026.
In a statement directed to MPs across the political spectrum, the disability movement highlighted the physical proximity of disability to daily life.
“The distance between ‘DIS’ and ‘ABILITY’ is less than one inch,” the movement stated. “This is a powerful reminder that every walking Ghanaian is only one step away from potential disability at any time, on any day. Disability is not a distant reality. It does not discriminate. It can affect a family member, a neighbour, or even you.”
The movement highlighted that due to these constructed barriers, over 2.1 million Ghanaians continue to face daily hurdles:
The advocates urged lawmakers to move away from the traditional, patronising view of disability as an issue of charity. Instead, they advocated for the adoption of the “social model” of disability, which posits that individuals are not disabled by their physical or sensory impairments, but by the barriers created by an unaccommodating society.
* Deaf individuals are shut out of public services due to a complete lack of professional Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) interpreters.
* Visually impaired students struggle to access tertiary education due to a lack of learning materials in accessible formats and libraries devoid of assistive technologies.
* Qualified professionals are systematically locked out of the job market due to physical barriers and negative employer attitudes.
The organisations of persons with disabilities called on all MPs to rise above partisan divisions and stand with their constituents by prioritising the 2026 Bill.
“Its timely passage is not just a legislative duty but a moral imperative to safeguard dignity, protect rights, and ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind,” the coalition concluded. “When you support this Bill, you are supporting the future of every Ghanaian.”
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
