Brief Background
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) is a state institution by an Act of Parliament passed on the day of our Lord 10th March 2011 by the President and Members of Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The Persons with disabilities Act 2011, being an Act to establish the National Commission for Persons with disabilities, to prohibit discrimination again
st persons with disabilities, achieve equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities and provide for other related matters. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of coordinating issues and activities related to disabilities at all levels in Sierra Leone. The establishment of the Commission was pronounced in June 2012.The commissioners tenure of office shall be for the period of three (3) years subject to re-election and appointment effective the day they assume office. Objectives:
•To formulate and develop measures to achieve equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
•To mobilize and maintain data on PWDs.
•To Provide adequate advise to the ministry for the welfare of PWDs
•To Investigate complaints by the PWDs.
•To put in place operational schemes and project for the empowerment of PWDs.
•To coordinate services in Sierra Leone for the rights and welfare of PWDS. To coordinate the implementation of community level projects on issues related to disability. The NCPD is for each and every person with disability in Sierra Leone – without exception, when the NCPD talks about person with disability, it means, any Sierra Leonean, regardless of gender /s*x, status etc. (Persons with disabilities include, those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others). The NCPD shall also endeavour to constructively engage duty-bearers at various levels in the Republic of Sierra Leone to mainstream issues related to disability in all of their activities. Goal: To ensure that issues related to disabilities are mainstreamed at all levels of action, planning and decision making in Sierra Leone. Strategies:
To ensure the realization of the above objectives, the Under-mentioned strategies shall be employed.
•Collaboration, Monitoring and networking with relevant/appropriate ministries, organizations, agencies, department etc.
•Mobilization of relevant resources for project activities
•Data information generation, documentation and communication
