By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, Liberia – March 12, 2026 — The National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) has launched a nationwide acquaintance-and-needs assessment tour across Liberia’s 15 counties, aimed at engaging persons with disabilities and identifying key challenges affecting their well-being. The initiative, which began in Monrovia on March 12, 2026, seeks to strengthen government support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and ensure their inclusion in national development programs.
According to the Commission, the tour is intended to create a platform for direct interaction between the NCD leadership, Persons with Disabilities, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPWDs) throughout the country. Officials say the engagement will help gather firsthand information to guide policy reforms, programs, and interventions designed to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.
The exercise is being led by Acting Executive Director Apostle Dr. J. Aaron Wright Sr., who said the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, and direct community engagement.
“This tour represents more than an assessment exercise; it demonstrates our commitment to listening, learning, and acting in the best interest of Persons with Disabilities across Liberia,” Wright stated, adding that the Commission is determined to ensure that no individual with disability is left behind, regardless of location.
The nationwide tour will focus on assessing the living conditions of people with disabilities, identifying barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and social services, and evaluating the skills and capacities of PWDs for potential empowerment programs.
The Commission also aims to strengthen collaboration with local stakeholders, civil society groups, and organizations representing persons with disabilities, while promoting awareness about disability rights, non-violence, and community inclusion.
Despite previous government and partner interventions, the NCD says persons with disabilities in Liberia continue to face significant challenges, including discrimination, unemployment, limited access to quality education, and inadequate healthcare services.
Officials noted that the initiative marks one of the most comprehensive outreach efforts by the Commission since its establishment in 2005, representing a renewed effort to directly engage communities across the country.
The NCD stated that the tour supports the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes equity, empowerment, and national inclusion, while also advancing Liberia’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The nationwide outreach exercise is being conducted by three teams, including the Executive Team led by Acting Executive Director Dr. Wright, representatives from civil society organizations such as the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NOUD), and members of the media and language interpreters assisting in the engagement process.
