IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia-18 February 2018: The Vice President of Liberia, Hon. Jewel Howard-Taylor has employed a physically challenged man head of personnel in the office of the Vice President, Republic of Liberia.
Vice President Taylor, made the disclosure at a meeting with heads of Disabled Organizations, mid at addressing major needs confronting the disabled community.
In a Press Release from the Office of the Vice President, VP Howard-Taylor called on leaders of Disabled institutions to change their mindset on the objectives of forming these organizations and focus on the positive impact for all.
In the past according to the VP, these organizations were formed for the purpose of sourcing donor funding, a situation she noted, no longer exist, thus allowing government to fully shoulder such responsibility.
She stated that while government remains committed to aiding the physically challenge persons, it is required that heads of disabled organizations in the country consider collaborating with the objective of addressing the plights of people with disabilities.
The CDC-led government’s pro-poor agenda under the leadership of H.E President George M. Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, takes seriously the plight of physically challenged people in the country.
VP-Howard-Taylor assured that in fulfillment of this commitment by government, she is considering the employment of female and a male in her office.
The Press Release quoted the Vice President as neither saying that she has no intension to marginalize people with disabilities nor using them to gain popularity.
VP Howard-Taylor therefore, constituted a small committee from the heads of Disabled Organization to investigate and submit findings of qualified persons with disabilities for possible employment into government or other sectors.
She promised to host another meeting in a week for the purpose of finding a way forward on the plight of people with disabilities.
During the meeting, Mr. Ivin Jacks, a former Liberian journalist now visually impaired, called for the increase in the budgetary allotment of the National Commission on Disability, to help built the capacity of people with disabilities.
Mr. Samuel Dean, a Physically Challenged and head of one of the Disabled Organizations, stressed the need for public institutions to consider the accessibility for people with disabilities in the country.
Also making remarks was Mr. Beyan Korta, a Visually impaired, and head of the Christian Association of the Blind, who proffered the need for government’s fullest consideration in the inclusion of disables, not only at disabled institutions but other institutions without restriction.
