The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and its allies on the Access Nigeria Campaign leveraged international day of persons with disabilities to advocate for change on PWDs issues, especially improved implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018.
As Nigerians join the rest of the world to recognize the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with this year’s IDPD theme “Leadership and Participation towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.
In a press statement released on Friday in commemoration of the day, IFA executive director, Grace Jerry stated that “the focus is to ascertain PWDs inclusion through the provision of adequate systems, structures, and processes that accommodate PWDs access to and participation in public life on an equal basis with other citizens. Importantly, is to consider the impact of COVID-19 on PWDs and chart a way towards recovery.”
The organization called for effective implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, adding that it holds the key to helping PWDs recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She urged governments to engage persons with disabilities in the democratic process, to combat discrimination and abuse, counter prejudice, and to protect their rights and ensure their inclusion in all facets of life on an equal basis with other people.
“We call on the government to speed up implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 to enable the communities of PWDs deploy their huge potentials, values, talents, and contributions to the country and global community.
“We call on the executive and National Assembly to ensure that the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is fully funded in the 2022 appropriation bill, now being considered by the latter, and other budgets in the years to come.
“We call on all DPOs, PWDs, other Nigerian citizens and the international community to support the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in implementing policies that would help PWDs cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We call on all Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing the Disability Act to develop policies that will ensure the implementation of the Disability Act.
“We urge the government to develop a PWD emergency national action plan to respond to the needs of PWDs during pandemic and beyond. Government and other relevant agencies should have an emergency preparedness plan before an outbreak particularly covering the needs of PWDs to avoid reactionary measures such as it occurred in the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
Prominent recommendations in that report according to IFA, include making polling units more physically accessible for PWDs and collecting data of PWDs across Nigeria to enhance planning for PWDs during elections.
Jerry also disclosed that the organization will be holding a stakeholder’s roundtable on December 13, 2021 to build advocacy on the issues raised in this press statement, especially the need for improved electoral accessibility for PWDs and the need to effectively implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
“We look forward to a robust engagement with government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), DPOs and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), media and other stakeholders during that engagement.
The Director also acknowledged the efforts that have been made by the different stakeholders in ensuring electoral accessibility of PWDs.