File: CES Union of Persons during the launch of a network to advocate for the rights of minority group. (Photo: Nyathong William).

The Chairperson of Persons with Visual Impairment is encouraging persons with disabilities to participate in civic processes to promote inclusion of the group ahead of the next year elections.

Mawut Luise who is one of the visually impaired persons called upon his associates to engage in making changes by active involvement in policy shaping.

While emphasizing on the importance of their participation in policy making, Mawut called upon the public to recognized the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities.

Mawut urges the government and partners to quickly implement the United Nations convention on rights of persons with disabilities.

He made the remark while commemorating the World Braille Day celebrated on Monday at the Physical Rehabilitation Referenced Centre in Juba.

“Participation in civic processes is crucial for persons with disabilities, including participation in elections, representation in different associations and participation in the community as a whole, while maintaining that persons with disabilities have the capacity to live independently but still have the right to be included fully in the community

It is also crucial to emphasize the fact that persons with disabilities, as important members of the community,  are entitled to all the fundamental rights recognized by the international human rights law.

On his part, Yona Sabri a visually impaired youth advocate asked that the voice of persons with disabilities be included in the permanent constitution making process and appeals for consideration of their affirmative action.

“I don’t know whether it has started or not, but the voice of persons with disabilities needs to be included in the constitution-making process, the 2% affirmative action of persons with disabilities, it must be included in the constitution-making process”, he added.