A Seat at the Table: How Participant Zambia Is Driving the Future of Disability Inclusion

When a country crafts a national policy aimed at transforming the lives of persons with disabilities, it marks a pivotal moment. But policy, no matter how progressive, is only as impactful as its implementation. This is the story of how Participant Assistive Products Zambia, under the leadership of co-founder Mr. Lango Sinkamba, is not only responding to such a moment in Zambia, but helping to shape it.

In May 2025, Mr. Sinkamba attended a landmark parliamentary caucus on disability rights in Lusaka. It was more than a government gathering, it was a confluence of decision-makers, disability advocates, UN agencies, and civil society organizations all united by a single purpose: inclusive development.

“It was a great opportunity for us,” Lango said. “We were allowed to exhibit our products at the event, and it aligned perfectly with the new national policy document that Zambia is putting forward.”

A National Policy That Opens Doors

The national policy document Lango refers to is no small administrative gesture. It lays the foundation for accessibility reforms in sectors ranging from health and transport to education and community infrastructure. More importantly, it provides the guidelines and budgetary framework for actual implementation, a crucial move for a country where disability has often been sidelined due to lack of cohesive policy direction.

“This policy gives ministries a roadmap,” said Lango. “It removes the old excuse that 'there's no policy guiding us.’ Now, there is, and it demands action across all ministries, not just the Ministry of Health or Community Development.”

And this is where Participant Zambia comes in.

From Exhibition Booth to Policy Table

At the parliamentary caucus, Lango identified key attendees, including Hon. Brenda Narenda, Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability, and representatives from the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Workers Compensation, and various OPDs (Organizations of Persons with Disabilities). The presence of UNDP, the Ministry of Community Development, and a range of influential figures showcased a serious intent to collaborate.

“This wasn’t just a photo," Lango noted. “These were stakeholders ready to take the next step.”

One powerful conversation stood out. Hon. Narenda, who represents the rural Lundazi constituency, shared her frustration about the poor quality of wheelchairs she’s been able to procure for her constituents through the (CDF).

“She told me how the chairs would break within a month. They’re not built for rugged outdoor environments. They’re indoor clinical wheelchairs being used on village roads,” Lango recounted.

When she saw Participant Zambia’s rugged, outdoor-ready wheelchairs, complete with guarantees, spares, and training, she was visibly impressed. So much so that she’s now advocating for Lango to present before parliament to make the case for allocating part of the CDF towards assistive products.

Assistive Products: Not a Luxury, a Necessity

As Lango puts it, You can not talk about inclusive education, employment, transport, or healthcare without assistive products. They are the key that unlocks access.

And the policy agrees. Areas such as health and rehabilitation, accessible transport, and inclusive education are named as priorities, all of which require functional, durable, and context-appropriate assistive devices.

“Assistive products redefine participation,” Lango emphasized. “Without a proper wheelchair, how can a child in a rural school attend classes? Without crutches or white canes, how do people reach the clinics being built for 'everyone'?”

Participant Zambia’s offering is built around this core philosophy: Assistive products should not only exist, they should endure, adapt, and support life-long inclusion. That’s why they focus on durable mobility devices, provide spare parts, offer training, and commit to long-term maintenance.

Shaping Negotiation Strategies

With the new policy in place, Lango sees a fresh window to engage with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Community Development, Parliament, and international organizations like UNDP and UNICEF.

This policy is a guideline, yes. But it’s also a negotiation tool,he explained. It allows us to say: ‘Here’s what you want to do. Here’s how we can help you do it, effectively, sustainably, and locally.

Already, Lango is planning follow-up meetings with government officials, including the Minister of Community Development. His message: inclusion cannot happen without the right tools, and Participant Zambia is ready to provide them.

Building Capacity, Backing Continuity

Unlike many external aid-driven initiatives, Participant Zambia offers not just products but long-term partnership. Our value proposition includes:

Durability: Devices built for Zambia’s real terrain, not hospital hallways.

Maintenance and Parts:  A guarantee of continuity, no more abandoning broken wheelchairs.

Training:  Building user and institutional capacity to support implementation.

Local Presence:  As a Zambian-based company, Participant Zambia is close to the communities they serve, reducing delivery times, communication gaps, and cultural mismatches.

“The sustainability element is key,” said Lango. “Many MPs didn’t know that rehabilitation chairs aren’t meant for outdoor use. They weren’t told that until they saw our products and got educated.”

The Vision: Inclusion Rooted in Participation

At the heart of Participant Zambia’s mission is the same ethos that drives the broader Participant brand: participation.

“We’re Participant Assistive Products,” Lango says proudly. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, can participate in life, in community, in the economy.”

For him, inclusion is not theoretical. It’s practical. It’s personal. It’s political. And with the right policies, partnerships, and products, it’s possible.

Looking Ahead

Zambia is at the beginning of something powerful. With a clear policy, active government interest, and dedicated players like Participant Zambia stepping up to lead, the future for persons with disabilities looks more participatory than ever.

From the exhibition floor to the parliamentary chamber, from rural communities to national ministries, the message is clear: assistive products are no longer optional, they are essential.

And with Lango Sinkamba and Participant Zambia at the table, that message is getting louder, stronger, and harder to ignore.

Click here to find out more about Participant Assistive Products Zambia and how you can become a partner.