Persons with Disability (PWDs)
Individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Definition
While the Ghana Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), does not provide an explicit legal definition of 'Persons with Disability' within its text, the term is used throughout the Act to refer to individuals whose rights and welfare the legislation seeks to protect. The Act's provisions imply that PWDs are individuals who may face barriers to full participation in society due to their impairments, and for whom specific protections and accommodations are necessary to ensure equality and inclusion in areas such as employment, education, and public life. The ongoing review of the Act aims to align this understanding with the comprehensive definition provided by the UNCRPD.