The Director of the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy(CEDSA) at the University of Ghana, Prof. Joana Salifu Yendork has urged parents and adults to be circumspect in the socialization of children to help imbibe in them, the practice of inclusion and diversity.
Her comment came in line with the Inclusive Language/Act Series 2026 introduced by the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy(CEDSA) to change the narrative about persons with disability in society.
Speaking to Univers News, Prof. Salifu Yendork encouraged parents and guardians on the need to train and educate their children about persons with disabilities right from their young ages.
“I want parents and adults who are involved in the socialization of children to be intentional and include disability in their discussions, so that by the time the child is of age and they’ve developed their beliefs and values and are already aware of persons with disabilities”, she stated.
She also highlighted some real-life examples of better ways of addressing persons with disability to prevent instances of people looking down on them.
“If a child asks why a person isn’t walking, instead of silencing them, you can explain that the person has difficulty using their legs, sometimes due to a spinal condition. The wheelchair helps them move around and live their daily life”, she added.
Prof. Salifu Yendork reminded the public that disability is a permanent part of the human experience. Therefore, we must become comfortable with appropriate language and inclusive behavior.
Prof. Salifu Yendork further stressed the need for people to understand that persons with disabilities are not going anywhere, and they are a part of us. Therefore, we should all learn how to address and talk to people with disabilities.
“I want parents, teachers, guardians, any individual, children, and adults to know that persons with disability is not going anywhere, so we cannot only think about us. They are a part of us and therefore we should all get comfortable and learn how to discuss disabilities appropriately. It is the only way we can move forward as a nation” she stated.
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Story by Mardiya Amin | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Deborah Owusu
