Mobility devices are essential to enable access to education, health facilities, create economic opportunities or simply enable those who cannot walk to look after themselves, while contributing in some measure in their communities. Yet, in Sierra Leone, mobility aids are costly and difficult to access by persons with disability who need them most. Sierra Leone is a poor underdeveloped country where people with disability are frequently left to crawl on the ground and consequently suffer from illnesses, diseases, low self-esteem, isolation, exclusion, and deprivation.
In Kailahun district, people living with a major limb amputation or a physical impairment is challenging. Poverty and weak health systems mean that persons with mobility disabilities living in this community are more likely to either be sub-optimally treated or not treated at all. This leads to a downward spiral of neglected conditions, ever more complex deformities and increasing levels of disability. Without proper treatment, the person with a disability potentially experiences continued exclusion from society.
This innovative project was designed to meet the above needs through the provision of assistive devices (mobility carts, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.) for persons with mobility disabilities in Kailahun district, capacity building of physical disability rehabilitation services in Kailahun district, environmental adaptations in public buildings in Kailahun districts and awareness raising, sensitization and advocacy for policy change regarding physical disability rehabilitation
This project supports and complements the efforts of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues. The NCPD, in the Persons with Disability Act 2011, in article 6 under the sub-title ?Functions of the Commission? states that the commission is responsible to ?(g) support and secure the rehabilitation of persons with disability within their own communities and social environment; (h) co-ordinate services provided in Sierra Leone for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disability and implement programmes for vocational guidance and counseling. Also, under article 27 which draws attention to the ?Right of access to public premises, services and amenities? the PwDs Act 2011 says that te commission is also responsible to ?(j) provide, as far as possible ? assistive devices, appliances and other equipment to persons with disabilities.
The project will also support the activities of Tegloma Disability Integrated Organization (TeDIO-SL) formerly known as Polio Tegloma Agricultural organization. TeDIO-SL is a disability charity and community-based organization operating in Kailahun District since in 2004. The vision of TeDIO-SLis to see a community where equal rights, participation and opportunities exist for all regardless of status, color, tribe, age, sex or disability.
TeDIO-SL has its head office located at 52 Mano Sewallu Road, Masanta Section ? Kailahun Town and operates in Luawa, Kissi Kama, KissiTeng and Kissi Tongi Chiefdoms in Kailahun district.