Gobabis:In a decisive move toward building a more inclusive community, the Gobabis Municipality Council has thrown its weight behind the newly Revised National Policy on Disability.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Namibia's Revised National Policy on Disability (2025-2035) is the country's updated framework governing the rights, inclusion, and welfare of persons with disabilities, replacing the outdated 1997 policy.

Mayor of Gobabis, Elwin Gariseb, highlighted the municipality's important role in supporting regional coordination, service delivery, and inclusive development during the Omaheke Regional Stakeholder Education and Awareness Training workshop, which concluded on Tuesday in Gobabis. He emphasized that this local endorsement marks a critical turning point for thousands of residents in the area, with commitments to transform national equity standards into concrete local actions, such as accessible public infrastructure and equal employment opportunities.

Gariseb stated that local authorities must consider the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in their plans, budgets, infrastructure projects, and service-delivery programs. The Revised National Policy on Disability provides a framework for promoting the dignity, equality, rights, participation, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

However, he noted that the policy's success depends on whether responsible institutions like municipalities understand their roles and take practical action. The mayor stressed that municipal information and consultation processes should be accessible to persons with different disabilities and that public buildings, roads, customer service facilities, sanitation facilities, and community infrastructure should be accessible to all.

Gariseb further added that persons with disabilities and their representative organizations must be meaningfully consulted and included in decisions that affect their lives. Lawrence Kaimu, a board member of the National Disability Council of Namibia and chairperson of the research and development committee, appreciated the commitment to persons with disabilities throughout the Omaheke Region, including those in rural and remote communities who are part of regional planning, development, and service delivery.