BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE- The Government of Eswatini has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dignity, mobility and full participation for persons with physical impairments, as the country joined the global community in observing International Wheelchair Day.
In a press statement issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on March 2,2026 government highlighted steady progress made in advancing disability inclusion while acknowledging the need to intensify efforts to remove remaining barriers.
The commemoration is observed March 1, 2026 held under the theme “Move with dignity inclusion for everybody in Eswatini”, reflecting a renewed national focus on equal access and opportunity.
Government noted that mobility goes beyond transport or assistive devices, describing it as a cornerstone for independence, education, employment, cultural participation and civic engagement. Authorities reiterated that inclusion of persons with disabilities remains a shared national responsibility requiring practical and measurable action.
Among the key milestones achieved, government cited strengthened cross-sector coordination aimed at mainstreaming disability inclusion in national planning and public service delivery. This has contributed to improved access to mobility support equipment and the expansion of procurement and distribution systems for wheelchairs and other assistive technologies.
Progress has also been recorded in public infrastructure and transport, with the adoption of universal design standards intended to reduce physical barriers and enhance participation. In addition, accessibility to major national cultural events including Umhlanga, Incwala, Kubuteka and Emaganu has been improved to ensure broader participation by persons with physical impairments.
Looking ahead, government outlined a number of commitments, including scaling up funding for assistive devices, maintenance services and community rehabilitation programmes. All new public infrastructure and transport projects will be required to meet accessibility standards from the design phase through to construction.
Economic inclusion remains another priority, with plans to promote targeted employment, entrepreneurship and vocational training opportunities for persons with physical impairments. Government also pledged to expand inclusive health services and ensure that learners with physical impairments receive reasonable accommodation and necessary support within the education system.
To strengthen accountability, government intends to institutionalise regular consultations with persons with physical impairments and disability organisations, alongside the publication of progress reports to track measurable outcomes.
In its call to action, government urged ministries, development partners, the private sector and civil society to work collaboratively in advancing inclusion. Authorities emphasised that collective effort is essential to removing barriers, strengthening independence and ensuring that every citizen can move, work, learn and contribute to national development.
#InclusiveMobility #DisabilityInclusion
