State House wins disability-inclusive employer award

The Office of the President has been recognised by the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) as the country's most disability-inclusive employer.

"The Office of the President employs 21 persons with disabilities and demonstrated that it values the physical and mental well-being of its employees through exemplary disability-inclusive workplace practices," the NDCN noted during the handover of the Employer Award and a cash prize of N$30 000 at a recent awards ceremony in Lüderitz.

The president's office provides accommodation, sign language interpretation, transport, assistive devices, equal employment opportunities, staff development programmes and disability awareness initiatives to ensure employees with disabilities can work and thrive in an inclusive environment, the council said.

Viviane Sharlene De Koe received the Best Disability Activist Award and a cash prize of N$5 000.

"De Koe has overseen real and tangible improvements for persons with disabilities through her work. She is dedicated to advancing disability inclusion locally, nationally and globally. Her actions have helped break down barriers experienced by people with disabilities," the NDCN said.

The Southern Association of the Visually Impaired (SAVI) received the Best Organisation of Persons with Disabilities Award and N$30 000.

The organisation was recognised for supporting people with visual impairments and albinism through advocacy, awareness campaigns, outreach programmes, training and workshops. SAVI also assists members with practical services, including CV preparation, housing applications and the distribution of donated items.

The Kunene Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme was awarded the Best Service Provider for Persons with Disabilities Award and disability assistive equipment worth N$30 000.

"CBR is contributing to better health outcomes for people with disabilities and helping to improve emergency health responses so that they better meet the needs of people with disabilities during a crisis," the NDCN said.