Disability day shines light on barriers

The Namibian Organisation of Youth with Disability says persistent barriers to employment, education, healthcare and public services continue to exclude people with disabilities.

In a statement to mark National Disability Day yesterday, the organisation says people with disabilities remain among the most marginalised groups in the country, facing high unemployment rates and persistent barriers to participation in societies.

Organisation spokesperson Otto Gotlieb, citing labour statistics, says while Namibia’s youth unemployment and underutilisation rate stands at 61.4%, people with disabilities account for only 2.3% of the active labour force.