Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) says it has started carrying out surveys to access the extent of COVID-19 knowledge among the Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).
The survey will also monitor the numbers, if any, and accessibility of COVID-19 palliatives given to PLWDS nationwide.
Its Executive Director, Mr David Anyaele, made the disclosure on Thursday during an online training/capacity building session for PLWDs that would carry out the survey and evaluate the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives.
Anyaele said that the lockdown had exposed this vulnerable group to hardship and hunger by reason of their inability to fend for themselves.
“Citizens living with disability fall under the vulnerable people category who, according to the Lagos State officials for example, said would be on the priority list during the distribution of the palliatives.
“However, many PLWDs did not get anything contrary to the promise and this amounts to exclusion of many people.
“The Nigeria Disability Act, 2018 prohibits all forms of discrimination against persons with disability hence, the need to see if PLWDs were inclusively captured in the distribution.
“Part 5, Article 25 of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 clearly states that
“In all situations of risk, violence, emergencies and the occurrences of natural disasters, the government shall take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities taking cognisance of their vulnerability,’’ he said.
Also, Mr Musa Musa, the Programme Assistant of CCD, told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone conversation that the capacity building and monitoring initiative would assess awareness level on the understanding of COVID-19 among PLWDs.
According to Musa, it will also assess the impact as well as transparency and accountability mechanism deployed in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives.
“The objective is to build the capacity of non-language interpreters and PLWDs across our native states, to be able to conduct a survey around the distribution of palliatives to person living with disabilities.
“It is also to understand the knowledge of COVID-19 among PLWDs, to know whether these people are aware of the possibilities of contacting COVID-19 and all other information about it,’’ he said.
Musa said that as an organisation, after the survey, the reports and findings would allow adequate plans or key deliberate actions to educate persons with disabilities on the basics response around COVID-19.
According to him, it will also prompt actions on deficiencies involved in the distribution of palliatives during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
He said that the engagement would involve PLWDs, heads and some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) basically, to go round and do the monitoring from street to street, local governments and others.
“The survey and report thereafter will be all encompassing. It will also border on states, federal, local government areas, non-profit organisations and individuals who gave out palliatives within the period.
“So, through our reports, it is only then that we will now know the long term effect or impact of these actions,’’ he said.
Edited By: Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye (NAN)