The President for People living with disabilities in Lae, Kurari Nota, says it is very difficult for people living with disabilities to access services, from both private and government institutions.
Speaking on behalf of more than 200 people living with disabilities in Lae, Nota says their opportunities and participation in the society is limited by the treatment they receive.
Nota, a 56-year old father of five from Finschhaffen, and ex-Correctional Service officer in Lae, lost his wife in 2005.
Since then, he has raised his children on his own until 2014, when he was diagnosed with diabetes and had to have his right leg amputated.
Service delivery from both private and government institutions has become a great challenge for him and others living with disabilities. There is distinct lack of knowledge and resources for managing disabilities in some communities.
People with disabilities are unable to join community life, go to school or work.
Not all public buildings, public utilities and instruments are easily accessible to people living with disabilities.
During the launching of the National Disability Policy on May 27 in 2015, Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, assured the policy would promote responsible action to remove barriers, and hindering people living with disabilities from enjoying the same rights as others.
