Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) has called for accessible transport system for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
The Executive Director, Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu made the call at an event organized in collaboration with National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) on Tuesday in Abuja.
In her opening address, Dr. Patrick-Ogbogu remarked that Persons with Disabilities are always faced with obstacles in accessing means of transport, adding that in recent times, the situation has deteriorated going by the most experiences of some persons with disabilities at the airport in which there discriminated against by a particular airline.
The DRAC boss reiterated the Center’s committment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and promote disability inclusion.
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Continuing, she said: “with the enactment of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, (2018) the time has come to engage stakeholders in the transport system to actualize the stipulations of the Act.
She appreciated President Buhari for establishing the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, (NCPWD) which has brought Persons with Disabilities closer to achieving their goal.
While speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu, shared his experience with Federal Road Safety Officers and their negative attitudes toward Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing that Persons with Disabilities have the right to drive a car, as well as engage in a host other activities provided, it is within their jurisdiction.
According to Lalu, addressing these challenges from the grassroots is a combined responsibility; therefore, all hands must be on deck for realization of these goals.
He however noted that, challenges in our Airports, Seaports, and other means of transportation are the focus and that now is the time to proffer solutions to these challenges.
Lalu also assured that the Commission will be engaging all Ministries, especially the Federal Ministry of Transport in reviewing the various policies to eliminate discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
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The Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (HADM&SD) represented by Mr. Sunday Ezekiel spoke on the need to create greater awareness on the Disability Act, adding that Nigerians aren’t yet familiar with the Act, thereby constituting a major challenge. He affirmed the Minister’s support on the removal of all barriers facing persons with Disabilities in the country.
Mr. Theophilus Odaudu, Program Officer of Disability Rights Fund (DRF) stated that Persons with Disabilities face enormous challenges in accessing transportations and that changing the current narrative is long overdue.
He praised DRAC and NCPWD for organizing such laudable initiative while calling on organizations of Persons with Disabilities to take advantage of the opportunity by responding to DRF’s call for proposals on addressing the issue of access to transport systems in the country.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, (IFA) Grace Jerry stated that discrimination against persons with Disabilities in the transport system has been a reoccurring occurrence. She therefore recommended that useful suggestions from the discourses at the meeting must be Implemented.
The Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, represented by its Vice president, Haruna Tsafe spoke on the recent discriminatory happenings between wheelchair users and a well known Airline operators. He therefore commended efforts aimed at proffering solution to these genuine concerns as a welcome development.
Others dignitaries who graced the event and deliberated on the ways forward for the community of persons with Disabilities were MDAs, Leaders of disability community and Stakeholders from various sectors, including the Ag. Director, (Enforcement/ Compliance) and Ag. Director, (Social Integration) National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Photos from the event:
1 comment
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