An organization for persons with disabilities in Warrap State has called for an end to discrimination vulnerable people in the state.
The call comes during commemoration for the International Day of People with Disabilities in Turalei town on Monday.
There are hundreds of people with disabilities in the state, according to officials.
These include war disabled, cripples, the deaf, and others suffering various health conditions.
They say some of them have experienced discrimination throughout their lives, with some unable to access education and other public services.
“We, the people with disabilities, are not given rights. They claim that when one is a disabled, they cannot enroll in school. But that mindset must change,” said Gabriel Madut Lula, chairperson of Twic County Persons with Disabilities Association.
“That person with a disability has talent too. He or she can do something better than a normal person.”
Internationally marked on December 3, the theme of this year is: “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world“.
Many families, according to the ADRA organization Protection Officer in Twic County, never saw the need of encouraging persons with disabilities to go to school.
James Manyiel Nyuol echoed Madut’s appeal, saying the world is now at the phase of inclusive development and nobody should be left behind or neglected.
“The whole world says [persons with disabilities] are people and have rights like normal people. So, I am urging everyone who has a person with disability to take them to school,” he told the celebrants.
So far, more than 200 vulnerable people, some of whom children, have reportedly enrolled in schools across the state.
The Transitional of Constitution of South Sudan states that: Education is a right for every citizen and all levels of government shall provide access to education without discrimination as to religion, race, ethnicity, health status including HIV/AIDS, gender or disability.
In addition, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates that “Everyone has the right to education.”