The Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), has joined Nigerians and the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, under the Theme “building back better: toward a disability- inclusive, accessible and sustainable post covid-19 world”
The group also urged government and private organization, education and employment sector to build an inclusive and accessible space that will accommodate every individual needs.
In a statement made available to our correspondent, the group said in part;
“the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), a national membership of blind and partially sighted persons in Nigeria, joins about 15 percent of Nigeria’s population who have one or more forms of disability, to celebrate the significance of the day.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about one billion persons experience some form of disability. This figure is predictive with the recent unprecedented time and rise in health challenges.
“These category of persons are yet to have equal advantage in terms of education, health, infrastructure, employment, etc which defeat the mantra of the Sustainable Development Goals
“The effect of covid-19 struck more on persons with disabilities, as there has been massive downsizing of workers and in some cases, total closure of businesses, and equitable education is questionable, while the alternate learning methods were not designed to be inclusive for PWDs, who are more vulnerable to domestic violence during the lock down.
“Against the above, Our weapon against the corona virus. which includes, washing hands, social distancing, use of alcohol based sanitizers, to which most of the jingle are not available in accessible formats.
“Social/ physical distancing is almost impossible for blind and visually impaired persons who rely on support from another.
“In order to ensure that no one is left behind, NAB joins hands with disability clusters, international agencies, civil societies, government, private organizations, to exacerbate for an inclusive and accessible society in the post covid-19 era, through the implementation of the National prohibition act for persons with disabilities in Nigeria, domestication of the Marrakesh treaty in Nigeria, to ensure that blind and otherwise print disabled individuals are given equitable access to print materials, and also ensure that qualified blind and partially sighted persons are gainfully employed and equipped with right tools to carry out their duties.
“Looking back at a year like no other, 2020 has been a year like no other. Covid-19 throughout the world, not considering age, nationality, disability, religion. But in all, we sail through the huddles, pains, chains.”