People with disabilities urged to stop being street beggars

PEOPLE with special needs and disabilities should find decent works to earn income instead of ending up as beggars on the streets, the Executive Director of the National Association Persons with Disabilities in Zanzibar, (UWZ), Shaib Abdallah Muhamed, has said.

He said disability was not inability but some people with disabilities were using their condition as a means of earning income by begging instead finding ways of earning income.

He said that they are not interested with the behavior of some people with disabilities who go around begging while they engage in various activities and earn income.

He called on members of the public to help people with disabilities by discouraging them from becoming street beggars.

He said they should instead register with the association for employment support because we are the ones who know the type of support they need.”

The director suggests that individuals and companies need to  support  people with disabilities, should pass the  donation to the association, as one way to stop street begging because people sit along streets and road sides because people give them money.

“Helping disabled people beg on the street is wrong perception, it is good that the aid is delivered to the relevant department like UWZ,” he explained.

In addition, Mr Mohammed said that their association is facing various challenges, including resources, and parents still do not have enough education in providing opportunities for children with special needs and disabilities.

He asked members of the communities to ensure the rights of the disabled people in the country are considered, including the right to decent work and economy by engaging or providing opportunities.