Wisseh emphasized that the lack of accessibility in public spaces is a constant reminder to people with disabilities that they are often overlooked and excluded.
MONROVIA – Beatrice N. Wisseh, a 21-year-old social work student at the Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences, never imagined her life would change so drastically until a hit-and-run motor accident left her with both legs fractured and reliant on a wheelchair.
By Mae Azango [email protected]
After undergoing multiple surgeries, her legs are now braced with iron, and she walks with the aid of crutches. Despite these challenges, Wisseh remains determined, pursuing her education and speaking out about the struggles faced by people living with disabilities in Liberia.
As a proud recipient of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Scholarship, she shared her story in an interview, highlighting the daily challenges she encounters in accessing her classes and the broader issue of marginalization faced by individuals with disabilities.
“In the past, at the Dolo Town Public School where I attended, there were no ramps, so my classmates had to lift me in my wheelchair to enter classes, which was very embarrassing. At the Mother Pattern School of Health Sciences, I have to climb many stairs because nearly all of my classes are upstairs. This causes constant pain in my hips and legs. If my classes were downstairs, I wouldn’t go through such pain,” she said.
Barriers to Accessibility
Wisseh emphasized that the lack of accessibility in public spaces is a constant reminder to people with disabilities that they are often overlooked and excluded. “The absence of ramps in public buildings suggests we don’t matter and have no right to higher education,” she said.
Her struggles inspired a poem titled “Voice in the Shadows,” which captures the marginalization and dehumanization faced by the physically challenged.
Excerpt from “Voice in the Shadows”
“They strive in pain, walking paths alone,
Risking their lives on foundations of stone.
Ignored, unheard, no voices to claim,
As if their existence is merely a name.
Are they not worthy of something more,
Of dignity, respect, a life to adore?”
A Broader Issue
Wisseh’s plight reflects the struggles of approximately 10,500 registered persons with disabilities in Liberia, according to J. Emmanuel Kpleh, Resident Supervisor of the Group of 77. Many disabled individuals face mobility challenges due to a lack of wheelchairs, crutches, and other essential items. They also encounter systemic marginalization and limited access to education and employment opportunities.
A report by the Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), supported by SIDA, estimates that 99% of persons with disabilities in Liberia live in extreme poverty, mainly due to exclusion from education, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. This is significantly higher than the 48% of the general Liberian population living in extreme poverty, according to the United Nations.
Accessibility in Public Spaces
An investigation by FrontPage Africa reporters revealed that several public institutions and universities in Liberia lack accessibility features for people with disabilities. Key ministries, including Finance, Education, Labor, Gender, and Health, do not have ramps or functional elevators. While the Liberia National Police headquarters has a ramp at its entrance, most of its offices, including the Inspector General’s office, are only accessible via stairs.
Among institutions of higher learning, the University of Liberia and other major universities, including UMU, AMEU, Cuttington, and Mother Pattern College, are largely inaccessible. Stella Maris Polytechnic University is an exception, with a ramp located at the back of the building.
Sister Mary Laurene Browne, OSF, President Emerita of Stella Maris Polytechnic, acknowledged the issue. “Not even newly constructed buildings in the capital have easy access for the physically challenged. We have no choice but to begin addressing this problem concretely,” she said.
Advocating for Change
Despite the obstacles she faces, Wisseh is optimistic about her future. She envisions herself as a legal advocate working to dismantle barriers for marginalized people in society.
“In five years, I see myself as a graduate of social work and a legal advocate, leading initiatives to create a more inclusive society. I want to change the narrative, ensuring that the dreams of disabled individuals are no longer ignored,” she said.
Wisseh’s journey and advocacy serve as a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change to ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and dignity for all Liberians, regardless of their physical abilities.
