Five-year plan to aid disabled people in Liberia unveiled

From AllAfrica.com:

The National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD) has ended a one-day forum intended to unveil a five years strategic plan for the wellbeing of disabled people in Liberia. The forum, which brought together dozens of disabled people and other disabled organizations, took place at the weekend at a local hotel in Monrovia.

Addressing reporters at the end of the one-day forum, the President of NUOD Beyan G. Kota said the Union has decided to embark on the scheme to self- examine and evaluate itself and take a critical look at things they need to do in the next five years.

"We are carving out a strategic plan for the development of the organization and also looking at the vision, the strategic issues that affect the general well being of the organization," Kota who has an outstanding history of pushing for the well being of disabled people told reporters.

Some of the things the organization intends to do over the period of time, according to him, include building institutional capacity building of the organization, strengthening their base, identifying office facility, and identifying human resource person who would train NUOD personnel and members to manage and deliver services of people with disabilities.

He added: "We want to actually lift the union from the ground so that it takes authority on key issues pertaining to disability, information dissemination to be able to have an authentic voice on issues of disabilities in Liberia."

The NOUD president is of the strongest conviction that with a bastion on key issues, they as disable people will be able to channel matters of development properly, adding that people with disability and that the union must develop themselves to serve common good of all.

"We are moving toward professionalizing the organization of disabled people in the country. This strategic plan comes after years of struggle to find the right vision and strategy for long-term development of NUOD," Mr. Kota, a hard-hitting advocate for people with disability has indicated.

NUOD has a membership of 20 organizations, all working toward uplifting and ameliorating the wellbeing of people with disability to be able to give them voice and at the same time feel connected to society.

"We are excited about the direction we have set to take and are encouraged by the successes we have made over the years. NUOD's mission is to increase society acceptance of disability by working to eliminate the social injustices, intolerances and misconceptions.

He said denying persons with disabilities their basic human rights and equal access to opportunities diminish their potential, dignity and active participation in their communities. The one-day forum was held under the theme "Achieving Basic Human Rights and Unconditional Social Inclusion for Person with Disabilities in Liberia." It was held under the auspices of Trust Africa.