For a long time, the rights and plight of children with disabilities have not been given the due attention they deserve and, in fact, for most institutions, people living with disabilities are at the bottom of their priority list.

There are many reasons for this scenario, but top on that list are the historical cultural attitudes that remain deeply rooted in our customs and traditions.

Unfortunately, many parents in society still regard having a child with disabilities as a form of misfortune and in some extreme cases, some believe that it is a curse or punishment.

As a result of such beliefs, both parents and children are generally stigmatised and isolated from many social activities.

But the situation is especially worse for children whose parents feel ashamed and want to keep their children away from public sight, including denying them education.

As a result, many people have grown to be dependent on their parents or believe that they cannot engage in any activities because of their disabilities and sadly, such kind of people end up as beggars on the streets.

We are, therefore, glad that the ministry of Education is taking practical steps to halt this practice and ensure that children with disabilities access education.

But apart from provision of specially trained teachers, there must be a deliberate move that infrastructure in these learning institutions is designed in such a manner that it caters for those with disabilities.

There must be a well thought plan to ensure that children with disabilities are given an environment that will positively impact on their socialisation and development process.

There must be minimum situations where institutions are specifically built for them away from able-bodied children because this creates a sense of isolation and stigmatisation.

In fact, these situations must not even arise in the first place because other than their physical challenges, disabled children are human beings who must not at any given time be discriminated against and isolated from society.

Let us strive to uphold and even double the kind of love and care that disabled children receive from their own family members - brothers, sisters and parents in their various homes, or we will be failing in our duty to do according to the dictates of the Holy Bible. It is not impossible.