Persons with disabilities in Vihiga County have experienced challenges accessing buildings in the area because most of them lack the required facilities to ease their movement, Regional County Coordinator for persons with disabilities in the area John Paul has said.
Speaking in his office, Paul noted that most of the buildings in Vihiga were put up before Persons with Disability Act was implemented by the National Parliament in the year 2003.
He added that most of the people with disabilities cannot access these buildings because they lack the required necessities to facilitate their movements.
Paul said they are working closely with Public works and the National Housing Cooperation to approve and confirm any architectural designs of the upcoming structures to meet the required accessibility, safety and health regulations.
“We are working together with all departments to make sure all structures that are being put up in the County meets the required regulations as per the law,” he said.
He said according to the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 section 24(2) without prejudices to the provisions of section 22, if the Council considers that any premises, amenities are inaccessible they might be rendered an usable for persons with disabilities.
He reiterated that in the transport system, issues touching on persons are not considered during road construction in the Country.
“All these things look good on paper but they are thrown out of the window during implementation processes,” Paul said.