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Locadia Matsvaire Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT should not lose sight of the plight of people with disabilities when implementing Zim-Asset, the founder of a non-governmental organisation which empowers people with disabilities and advocates for their rights has said.

Speaking to The Herald, Endless Possibilities founder Mr Edmore Masendeke said the standard size of buildings made life uncomfortable for people with disabilities as they constantly need help where it may not be necessary.

He said housing schemes that will be rolled out as part of Zim-Asset should see people with disabilities getting homes that are suitable for them.

Said Mr Masendeke: “It is our hope that disabled persons’ homes are designed in such a way that door size, passageways, bathrooms and toilets cater for wheelchairs.”

He added that it would be a noble idea if Government availed resources for buses that have room for wheelchairs.

“The current set-up of public transport makes it difficult for disabled persons to travel due to lack of wheelchair facilities and people are subjected to inhuman treatment by some operators,” he said.

Mr Masendeke said some disabled persons did travel on their own and lived normal lives, but this became difficult in some places because of the general state of the roads.

“It would make life easier if there was different surfacing at road intersections for the blind to easily detect their way forward.

“As a result this becomes a hindering force which may lead to life loss in cases where there are careless drivers,” he said.

Mr Masendeke said their major plight was financial inclusion as banks were not providing services in a way that catered for their needs.

“We also need financial inclusion as disabled persons we also need to benefit and banks should provide services in a way that caters for the needs of disabled persons,” he said.

Endless Possibilities has trained more than 200 students in goal-setting, mentorship, general life skills and career development, among other skills.

Born with cerebral palsy, a disease which has caused him to walk in an uncoordinated manner and impaired his speech, Mr Masendeke defied the odds by becoming the holder of three degrees.

He is an economist with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and continues to encourage disabled persons to have hope in life.

“Never give up. Seek help. Live a normal life to the extent that you can,” he said.