FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Musa Barrow
11 July 2009
The Gambia Federation of the Disabled, in collaboration with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), on Wednesday, 8th July, 2009, organized a day-long training for journalists at the Alliance Franco Gambien.
The training which assembled media practitioners from both the electronic and print media was aimed at equipping the participants with knowledge in order for them to report accurately on disability.
In his welcoming remarks, the programme coordinator VSO, Mrs. Ndella Faye Colley, who spoke on behalf of the VSO country director, said VSO international works in the areas of disability in thirteen countries including the Gambia and their aim is to empower persons with disability and support their access to basic services as well as enhance their participation in community and family life.
According to her, this work is done in partnership with Disabled People's Organizations, Service Providers, Human Rights Organizations and Policy makers to influence and mainstream disability in the development process.
Mrs. Faye Colley further said it is a well known fact that one of the important partners in development the media, and the crucial role they play in the dissemination of information.
She went on to say that according to World Health Organization, ten percent of every population is disabled and therefore the training of journalists on disability issues is fundamental and timely, as they work to raise awareness on disability and issues affecting persons with disability in the society.
The VSO programme coordinator said that her organization believes that disability is the disadvantage and exclusion which arises as an outcome of the interaction between people who have impairment and social barriers they face due to the failure of society to take account of their right and needs.
She said disability is the result of discrimination by mainstream society, as people with impairment are excluded by structures, policies and practices at every level of the society.
In the drive to change this scenario, Mrs. Faye Colley said there is a need to partner and work closely with the media to disseminate the right information to the right people at the right time. This she pointed out has to be preceded with adequate training to increase the knowledge of journalists to enable them improve their report on disability issues.
According to her, this is why the disability project is currently being implemented and funded by the big Lottery Fund of the United Kingdom and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) stepped in to support such a workshop.
Other speakers included Mrs. Evette Phillot of African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies who presented on the topic; "How can journalists promote the right of Persons with Disability?"
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