General

ZAPD, in collaboration with the Zambia Deaf Women and Youth Organisation, is conducting a three-day training on accessibility, disability inclusion and sign language for staff of Liquid Intelligent Technologies. The training, being held from 6th to 8th October 2026 at Nobutula Lodge in Parklands, Kitwe, aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of disability inclusion and accessibility, while equipping them with practical knowledge to promote more inclusive and accessible services and workplace environments. As part of the training, Mr. Alick Nhkoma is facilitating practical sign language sessions, equipping participants with basic communication skills to engage more effectively with persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing. ZAPD is facilitating sessions on the mandate of the Agency, accessibility, disability etiquette and disability inclusion, with a focus on identifying and addressing barriers that persons with disabilities may encounter in accessing services and participating fully in society. The training is sponsored by Liquid Intelligent Technologies as part of the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. Participants have actively engaged in the sessions, demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment to strengthening their knowledge and practical skills in disability inclusion and sign language. ZAPD commends Liquid Intelligent Technologies for its commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion and for creating opportunities for its staff to better understand and respond to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Agency looks forward to strengthening partnerships with organisations that share its commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, inclusion and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities. See less

Persons with disabilities in Livingstone can now access Disability Cards more easily following the donation of a card printing machine by the Norwegian Association of the Disabled (NAD). The machine was handed over through the Collective Action for Disability Rights (CADiR) initiative and is expected to bring Disability Card printing services closer to persons with disabilities in Livingstone and surrounding communities. Speaking at the handover, ZAPD Livingstone District Coordinator Ganizo Phiri thanked NAD for the donation, noting that the machine would make it easier for persons with disabilities to obtain their Disability Cards. Ms. Phiri said the cards play an important role in enabling persons with disabilities to access their rights and services, particularly those that have not always been readily accessible to them. Also speaking at the event, Mr. Eddie Mupotola called on stakeholders to become ambassadors of change and support the initiative. He emphasised the importance of collaboration among civil society organisations, government agencies and communities in addressing barriers faced by persons with disabilities. Mr. Mupotola noted that collective efforts are essential in promoting reasonable accommodation and ensuring that services are accessible and inclusive for all. The new printing machine is expected to improve access to Disability Cards in Livingstone by reducing the challenges and delays previously experienced by persons with disabilities when obtaining their cards. The initiative demonstrates the importance of partnerships in bringing disability-inclusive services closer to communities and promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

ZAPD has commended MTN Zambia Zambia for introducing a Sign Language Video Solution, describing the initiative as an important step towards improving accessibility and breaking down communication barriers for Deaf persons. The new solution will see Sign Language videos displayed across MTN service centres, providing accessible information on products, services and customer support, while enabling Deaf customers to engage with the telecommunications provider more easily and independently. Speaking during the launch, ZAPD Director General Frankson Musukwa expressed his appreciation to MTN Zambia for the initiative and its contribution towards improving access to services for the Deaf community. The Director General described the initiative as a significant milestone in advancing accessibility, noting the difference it can make in the lives of Deaf users. “I am very much humbled and honoured to participate in this momentous initiative, which has contributed to enhancing accessibility and improving service delivery to Deaf users,” said Mr Musukwa. He further commended MTN Zambia for contributing to the broader disability inclusion agenda, emphasising the importance of initiatives that address communication barriers and promote equal access to information and services for persons with disabilities. ZAPD recognises the initiative as a positive contribution towards building a more inclusive society and encourages continued efforts by institutions and service providers to adopt accessible communication practices. Together, we can build a more accessible and inclusive Zambia where everyone has an equal opportunity to connect, communicate and access essential services.

CHIPATA, Eastern Province – Government has highlighted progress made in promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, including the deaf community. Speaking during the commemoration of International Sign Language Day at Magwero School for the Deaf in Chipata, Chief Human Resource Officer Mr. National Lusale, who represented the Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, said Government had strengthened the disability inclusion framework through the 2025 National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, the Revised National Social Protection Policy of 2025 and the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012. Mr. Lusale said Government was also creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, citing the recruitment of persons with disabilities in the civil service and the establishment of the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability Inclusion and Rights. He further said Government was promoting access to information for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons through sign-language interpretation at public events and ZNBC news broadcasts. The commemoration was held under the theme “Declaring Deaf Peoples Human Rights” as part of Deaf Awareness Week, observed from 20th to 29th September. Speaking at the event, ZAPD Eastern Province Coordinator Chisomo Zulu said sign language was an important part of the identity, culture and social participation of deaf people. Ms. Zulu said access to sign language enabled the deaf to learn, express themselves, participate in society and exercise their rights, and further called on stakeholders to remove communication barriers and promote inclusive communication. She encouraged parents, teachers, community leaders and the public to embrace sign language, stressing that “inclusion begins with understanding, and understanding begins with communication.” Ms. Zulu also thanked Government and cooperating partners, including Leonard Cheshire Disability, Cheshire Home Chipata, Enlight Abilities, Eastern Water and Sanitation Company, Mpangwe Prayer and Research Centre, Caritas Chipata and Disability Rights Watch – DRW, for supporting the commemoration. During the event, white canes and Disability Identity Cards were distributed to persons with disabilities, as part of efforts to promote access to support services and inclusion. The commemoration brought together Government officials, organisations of persons with disabilities, members of the deaf community, teachers and learners, traditional leaders, partners, parents and the media.

The construction of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Kasama Provincial Office is now 90% complete, marking significant progress towards the completion of this important infrastructure project. Funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Community Projects at a cost of approximately K1.15 million, the project represents the first major facelift of the office since the building was officially handed over to ZAPD in 1975. The upgraded office will feature: ✅ A modern mini-conference hall✅ A self-contained office for the Provincial Coordinator✅ Two new accessible toilets for males and females✅ Improved ramps and wider doorways to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities The project is expected to significantly improve the working environment and enhance service delivery to persons with disabilities in the region. For the duration of the works, the ZAPD Provincial Office continues to operate from the District Commissioners’ Block until further notice. With the project now at 90% completion, ZAPD looks forward to the final stages of construction and the eventual occupation of a more accessible, modern and functional office. Advancing accessibility. Strengthening service delivery. Promoting inclusion.

MUNGWI, NORTHERN PROVINCE | AUGUST 2026 -An Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) at Chitila Farm Center in Mungwi District has received a major boost following the donation and installation of a water hand pump by Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS). The water hand pump was officially handed over by the Board Chairperson of Zambia National Building Society during a ceremony held at Chitila Farm Center. Speaking on behalf of ZAPD, Northern Province Coordinator Jane Nkonde thanked ZNBS for demonstrating meaningful corporate social responsibility towards Persons with Disabilities. Ms. Nkonde noted that access to clean and safe water will significantly improve water and sanitation at the Centre and make it easier for members of the OPD, particularly Persons with Disabilities, to access this essential resource. She further appealed to other cooperating partners to support the revamping and development of Chitila Farm Center, noting that investment in the Centre has the potential to create employment, skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in Mungwi District and Northern Province through agriculture. ZAPD commends Zambia National Building Society for this valuable contribution towards strengthening disability-inclusive development and encourages more partners to come on board in supporting Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.

ZAPD Disability Registration Continues! ZAPD continues to provide disability registration services at the 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show. The ZAPD team is readily available to attend to you, and persons with disabilities who wish to register and learn more about the services, programmes and opportunities available through the Agency. Marking the Official opening of the Show, Ms. Angela Kawandami, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, visited the ZAPD stand to appreciate the team’s work and efforts in promoting disability inclusion and bringing services closer to persons with disabilities. Visit us at the MCDSS Stand and get registered! If you are a person with a disability and have not yet registered with ZAPD, this is your opportunity. Our team is ready to assist you. Register. Be counted. Be included.

LUSAKA | July 14, 2026 – ABSA Bank Zambia has partnered with the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) to support the provision of assistive technology for persons with disabilities through the 2026 ABSA Marathon, with proceeds from the marathon set to improve access to life-changing assistive devices across the country. The partnership was unveiled today during the official launch of the 2026 ABSA Marathon, where Government hailed the initiative as a demonstration of how sport can be leveraged to promote inclusion, empower communities and transform lives. Officiating at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, said Government remains committed to transforming sport into a viable industry by creating opportunities for athletes, improving sporting infrastructure, strengthening partnerships with the private sector and ensuring that sporting talent receives the support it deserves. Mr. Chileshe said the partnership between ABSA Bank Zambia and ZAPD serves as a reminder that sport is not only about competition, but also about compassion, inclusion and opportunity. He noted that the provision of assistive technology for persons with disabilities would open doors to education, employment, mobility and independent living. “Beyond every contribution is a story of a child whose life has been transformed, a young person empowered to pursue their dreams, and a family given renewed hope,” Mr. Chileshe said. Speaking during the launch, ZAPD Director General Mr. Frankson Musukwa commended ABSA Bank Zambia for placing disability inclusion at the heart of this year’s marathon, describing the partnership as a significant investment in restoring dignity, independence and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Musukwa noted that according to the 2015 Zambia National Disability Survey, an estimated 7.7 percent of Zambia’s population aged two years and above has a disability, yet only 20 percent of those who require assistive devices have access to them. He added that the World Health Organization estimates that more than 2.5 billion people globally require one or more assistive products, with demand projected to exceed 3.5 billion by 2050. He emphasized that access to assistive technology is not an act of charity, but an investment in human dignity, equality and independence, as appropriate assistive devices enable persons with disabilities to access education, employment, healthcare, sports and other opportunities that allow them to participate fully in national development. Earlier, ABSA Bank Zambia Managing Director Dr. Mizinga Melu officially announced the Bank’s partnership with ZAPD and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to using sport as a vehicle for positive social change. Dr. Melu disclosed that ABSA Bank, together with its partners, has increased this year’s investment in the marathon to K14 million and is targeting 10,000 runners for the 2026 edition. She said proceeds raised from marathon registrations will be channelled towards the provision of assistive technology for persons with disabilities, enabling more individuals to access devices that improve mobility, communication, learning and independent living. Dr. Melu further announced that, among the prizes to be awarded to outstanding athletes, ABSA has reserved K50,000 in prize money specifically for persons with disabilities, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that athletes with disabilities are fully included and recognised in one of Zambia’s premier sporting events. She called on members of the public, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to participate in the marathon, noting that every registration will contribute towards changing lives and creating a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities. The 2026 ABSA Marathon is expected to attract 10,000 participants from across Zambia and beyond, bringing together runners, corporate organisations and development partners in support of disability inclusion through increased access to assistive technology.

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ZAPD COMMENDS ZNBC TV FOR ENHANCED SIGN LANGUAGE VISIBILITY; CALLS ON PARLIAMENT TV AND OTHER BROADCASTERS TO EMULATE ACCESSIBLE MEDIA STANDARDS LUSAKA, ZAMBIA 29th July, 2026— The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) commends the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC TV) for significantly enlarging and improving the visibility of its sign language interpreter insert during its main news and public interest broadcasts. This progressive step ensures that Deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens across Zambia can follow national developments with clarity, dignity and ease. Prominent, clear and unhindered sign language interpretation on public television is not a favor; it is a fundamental right that promotes true national inclusion. ZAPD wishes to remind all public and private media houses that full access to information is legally mandated under the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012. Specifically, Section 49 explicitly provides that: All television stations shall provide a sign language insert or subtitles in all newscasts and educational programmes, and in all programmes covering events of national importance. Furthermore, with the draft National Accessibility Standards Guidelines awaiting approval by Cabinet, ZAPD expects all television stations to proactively prepare for full implementation and compliance with Section 49. Broadcasting houses should not wait for formal policy enforcement to begin adopting inclusive media practices. In light of this statutory mandate and upcoming standards, ZAPD challenges Parliament TV to make adjustments to their sign language insert, ZANIS TV and other television broadcasters across the nation to follow ZNBC’s example. Parliamentary debates, committee proceedings, and legislative updates directly impact the lives of all Zambians, including persons with disabilities. Obscured, overly small, or non-existent sign language inserts deprive Deaf citizens of their constitutional and statutory right to participate meaningfully in civic life. Access to information is a key pillar of inclusive governance. ZAPD remains committed to working alongside media institutions to establish, maintain, and enforce accessibility standards that leave no one behind. ISSUED BY: Frankson Musukwa Director General Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD)

Government has commended the growing partnership between the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) and the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN), describing it as a significant step towards strengthening disability inclusion, institutional capacity, and regional cooperation. This came to the fore when the Namibian delegation, accompanied by officers from ZAPD, paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms. Angela Kawandami, during their visit to Zambia. Speaking during the meeting, Ms. Kawandami expressed appreciation to the Namibian delegation for returning to Zambia and advancing the knowledge exchange initiative with ZAPD. She noted that the visit demonstrates a shared commitment by the two institutions to translate dialogue into action and deepen collaboration for the benefit of persons with disabilities. The Permanent Secretary commended both ZAPD and NDCN for successfully signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as a reflection of their collective desire to build inclusive institutions that learn from one another through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and best practices. Ms. Kawandami said she was pleased that the visit had culminated in the signing of the MoU, one of the key outcomes discussed during the Namibian delegation’s previous visit to Zambia. She congratulated both institutions on reaching this important milestone, which she said would further strengthen collaboration in policy implementation, institutional capacity building, information sharing, and the promotion of disability rights. She noted that the partnership provides a valuable opportunity for both organisations to share knowledge, undertake joint research, enhance technical cooperation, and strengthen systems that support the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Zambia and Namibia. The Permanent Secretary further emphasized that by leveraging their collective expertise and experiences, the two institutions can develop innovative, evidence-based, and sustainable approaches that improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in both countries. Ms. Kawandami observed that partnerships such as the one between ZAPD and NDCN demonstrate the progress being made towards building more accessible, inclusive, and resilient societies. She added that the collaboration reaffirms the commitment of both countries to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the pledge to leave no one behind. She reiterated Government’s commitment to fostering partnerships that advance inclusive development and ensure that persons with disabilities fully participate in all aspects of national development in line with national and international commitments. Ms. Kawandami expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding cooperation between Zambia and Namibia and lay a solid foundation for sustainable collaboration that delivers tangible benefits for persons with disabilities in both countries. A key focus of the visit is the exchange of knowledge on Disability Management Information Systems (DMIS), with the Namibian delegation learning from Zambia’s experience in developing and implementing a disability registration and data management system. The engagement is expected to enhance the capacity of both institutions to generate reliable disability data for planning, service delivery, and evidence-based decision-making. The visit by the Namibian delegation runs from 22nd to 26th June 2026 and includes technical discussions, experience sharing, and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Technical Committee established under the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding.