Rwanda: Concern for People with Deaf Blindness as lack of assistive equipment on the local market persists

By Justin Kayiranga

Persons with Deaf Blindness continue have appealed the government to do its utmost to enable easy access to essential assistive devices as most of them are not available on the local market.

Among the concerns raised on Friday, 20^th August 2021 during the celebration of the International Day of Deaf Blindness, are the lack of assistive devices and other equipment for people with disabilities.

It is also hard to afford them on their own due to limited means in addition to the fact that most of the devices are not available on the Rwandan market.

However, the Rwanda Organization of Persons with deaf Blindness (ROPDB) appreciates the fact that soon disable people will start to buy Assistive Devices and Tools for People with Disabilities using the Community Health Insurance Scheme.

According to Dr. Donatile Kanimba, the executive director of Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB), there are still some challenges facing people with disabilities.

She said “Currently these assistive devices and other tools are not available in public health institutions.

“Of course there are some services which have been eased for people with disability, but there are still challenges to the availability of such assistive equipment in Rwanda. Otherwise, the health insurance scheme will not be of any use to us, as these equipment, including white cane, are only available on outside markets.” Dr. Kanimba said.

 The celebration of the International Day of Deaf Blindness which took place in Kigali was organized by the Rwanda Organization of Persons with deaf Blindness (ROPDB) with its partners.

The Day is usually celebrated every year on 27th June, but this year in Rwanda, it was celebrated a bit later due to COVID-19 prevention measures.

Speaking at event, Ntawiha Marie Chantal, the project officer at ROPDB, commended the continued support of the government of Rwanda in improving the lives of deafblind people including the fact that the organisation has got legal status from Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) which gives them hope that deaf blindness will be considered as a special category of disability in Rwanda.

She said “The fact that we have obtained legal status is a strong indication that even the rest we ask from the government will be done. Of course, there is still a lot to be done, but we strongly hope that the government will keep supporting us”

Among other challenges that have been stated at the occasion of this celebration, include the exclusion of people with disabilities especially those with deaf blind.

But the representative of Rwanda Human Rights Commission, who was present at the event, called on everyone to report such cases so that they get assistance and support.