Vice President Lucia Witbooi has stressed the importance of lawmakers understanding the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

She stressed the urgent need to accelerate discussions about increasing the disability grant, which currently stands at N$1,600.

Witbooi reiterated the government’s commitment to building an inclusive society, citing the Direct Costs of Disability for Families in Namibia report.

The report outlines the economic impacts of disability on households and serves as a tool for informing policy design and investment decisions.

Witbooi said the report highlights the importance of improving accessibility and rehabilitation services and calls for better-informed policymakers who understand the additional burdens faced by persons with disabilities.

She also announced that a new, revised National Disability Policy is expected to replace the outdated 1997 National Policy on Disability and aims to close existing policy gaps, ensuring stronger protections and enhanced support for persons with disabilities in Namibia.