December 3, National Disability Day

Don't they say that sport unites… This was verified once again this Tuesday at the Chembenyoumba gymnasium with physical activities around basketball and football.

The event was organized by the quality of life at work department of the Departmental Council of Mayotte, in collaboration with other partners such as APAJH, Cros Mayotte, the association for the sensory impaired of Mayotte or even the CCAS of M’tsangamouji.

On the basketball and indoor soccer fields, we find more able-bodied people than people with disabilities. And this is no coincidence. According to El-Moute Said, the head of the inclusive policy office at the departmental council, the goal is to allow agents to live in real conditions, which a person with a disability can experience, particularly those who are in a wheelchair, the blind or those with a hearing impairment.

Don't forget to declare yourself as a disabled person

El Moute Said is no stranger to the topic of disability. He is in fact disabled himself. He also invites departmental council agents with disabilities to make themselves known for adjustments to their position that respond to their physical situation.

In a good-natured atmosphere, many able-bodied young people willingly took part in the game. They took part in blind football.

An able-bodied child: “ I'm happy to have participated in the games. I managed to handle the wheelchair but I lost the match ».

Stands to inform the general public

In addition to physical activities, stands were set up outside the gymnasium. The aim was to raise awareness among the general public but also to inform them about the systems that exist in the region and which support people with disabilities. Through National Disability Day, the authorities want to give these people in need the space they deserve so that they can flourish.

Houmadi Omar, deputy director of the childhood center at APAJH: “ In certain sectors, there are still people who do not know that there are systems that exist in these sectors. They have children who could have benefited from support but they don't necessarily know it ».

Helping people with disabilities to be independent.

This is one of the main missions of APAJH educators. Give confidence to people with disabilities in order to make them independent, to ensure that they are capable of doing things in life, alone.

With sport, we can adapt to several situations if the necessary tools are present.

Yasmina Combo, head of the sports health and well-being department at Cros de Mayotte: « We see an improvement compared to recent years. We see that the Handi'capable association carries out activities every year to show what people with disabilities are capable of doing. So there are several initiatives, now it has to be more regular ».

There is still much to do in Mayotte but more than ever National Disability Day highlights the importance of collective awareness. This date of December 3 is not just a simple day, it is the reflection of a growing movement for a more just and inclusive society.