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PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS.

   Section.

PART I
PRELIMINARY.

   1.   Short title.

   2.   Interpretation.

   3.   Objects of the Act.

   4.   Disability codings.

PART II
RIGHT TO QUALITY EDUCATION AND HEALTH.

   5.   Education.

   6.   Prohibition of discrimination from educational services.

   7.   Health.

   8.   Special health services.

   9.   Prevention of disability.

   10.   Measures of rehabilitation.

   11.   Vocational rehabilitation and employment.

PART III
EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

   12.   Prohibition of discrimination in employment.

   13.   Employment of persons with disability.

   14.   Discriminative medical examination.

   15.   Discrimination against employees.

   16.   Access to work premises.

   17.   [Repealed].

   18.   Void contracts.

PART IV
ACCESSIBILITY.

   19.   Access to premises.

   20.   Duty to provide access to buildings.

   21.   Access to information.

   22.   Access to public transport facilities.

   23.   Protection of visually impaired road users.

   24.   Denial of driving permit.

PART V
DISCRIMINATION IN RELATION TO GOODS, SERVICES AND FACILITIES.

   25.   Discrimination relating to goods, facilities and services.

   26.   Inaccessible physical features.

   27.   Provision of auxiliary aid or services.

   28.   Right to supportive social services.

   29.   Access to public facilities.

   30.   Sports and recreational activities.

   31.   Advertisements implying discrimination.

PART VI
OTHER SOCIAL RIGHTS.

   32.   Constitutional rights and freedoms.

   33.   Affirmative action in favour of persons with disabilities.

   34.   Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

   35.   Right to privacy.

   36.   Rights of the family.

   37.   Participation in public life.

   38.   Participation in cultural life.

PART VII
EXEMPTIONS.

   39.   Acts done under statutory authority.

   40.   Exemption for charities.

PART VIII
COMPLAINTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

   41.   Complaints, appeal and judicial proceedings.

PART IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

   42.   General provisions.

   43.   Offences and penalty.

   44.   Regulations.

   45.   Transitional provisions.

      First Schedule   Disability Codings.

      Second Schedule   Services provided to the public.

      Third Schedule.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

Commencement: 4 August, 2006.

   An Act to provide a comprehensive legal protection for persons with disabilities in accordance with article 32 and 35 of the Constitution; to make provisions for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities towards equalisation of opportunities and for related matters.

PART I
PRELIMINARY.

1.   Short title.

   This Act may be cited as the Persons with Disabilities Act.

2.   Interpretation.

   In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

   "auxiliary aids and services" include qualified readers, interpreters and guides; taped texts, audio, visual and pictorial recording; braille equipment, large print and brailled materials; tactile equipment, orthopaedic appliance and other devises and services that support PWDs to participate effectively in all aspects of life;

   "Council" means the National Council for Disability established under section 3 of the National Council for Disability Act.

   "disability" means a substantial functional limitation of daily life activities caused by physical, mental or sensory impairment and environment barriers resulting in limited participation;

   "Minister" means Minister responsible for Disability Affairs;

   "person with disability" means a person having physical, intellectual, sensory or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;

   "PWDs" means Persons with Disabilities.

3.   Objects of the Act.

   The objects of the Act are—

   (a)   to promote dignity and equal opportunities to persons with disabilities;

   (b)   to develop and promote the participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life as equal citizens of Uganda;

   (c)   to encourage the people and all sectors of government and community to recognise, respect and accept difference and disability as part of humanity and human diversity;

   (d)   to eliminate all forms of discrimination of persons with disabilities on ground of their disabilities;

   (e)   to encourage all sectors of government and community to promote and include disability issues into all economic, political and social development policies and programmes;

   (f)   to promote positive attitude and image of persons with disabilities as capable and contributing members of society, sharing the same rights and freedoms as other members of society.

4.   Disability codings.

   (1) The disability codings provided in the First Schedule shall determine—

   (a)   whether an impairment has a substantial functional limitation of daily life activities; or

   (b)   whether an impairment has a long term effect on a person.

   (2) The decision as to whether an impairment has a substantial functional limitation of daily life activities or a long term adverse effect on the ability of a person shall be based on the coding provided under subsection (1).

   (3) In addition to the provisions of subsection (2), a medical officer and any relevant organisation of or for persons with disabilities shall be consulted.

PART II
RIGHT TO QUALITY EDUCATION AND HEALTH.

5.   Education.

   Government shall, promote the educational development of persons with disabilities through—

   (a)   encouragement of inclusive education;

   (b)   the formulation and design of educational policies and programs that promote the special needs and requirements of persons with disabilities;

   (c)   the formulation of policies that give children with disabilities access to relevant education at all levels, paying particular attention to the requirements of the girl child and children in rural areas;

   (d)   the establishment of special schools and units, where inclusive education is not possible, with curricula designed for different disability conditions;

   (e)   the inclusion of a module on teaching children with special needs in the curricula of teacher training courses;

   (f)   the provision of adequate training for special teachers and in service training for current teachers in mainstream schools to cater for the educational development of persons with disabilities;

   (g)   the provision of learning instructional materials and assistive devises suitable for learners with special needs;

   (h)   the enforcement of recruitment and retention of special education teachers in all schools and institutions;

   (i)   structural and other adaptations of all educational institutions to the needs of persons with disabilities and promotion of specialised institutions that facilitate research and development of their education;

   (j)   the commitment of not less than 10 percent of all educational expenditure to the educational needs of persons with disabilities at all levels;

   (k)   the provision of assistive services during examinations including giving extra time suitable for students with special disability needs.

6.   Prohibition

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