By Douglas Izuchukwu, INN Reporter
Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), a group championing the causes of Deaf women and Persons with Disabilities says the level of inaccessibility encountered by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Nigerian society is a gross discrimination against the Community. On the back of this went forth the clarion call for a comprehensively inclusive society.
According to the group, the future of Deaf women and PwDs risk being dented by the prevalent inaccessibility to most health, educational, socio-economic and political facilities and services.
Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, the Executive Director of DWAI said this on Tuesday at Dennis Hotel Wuse 2, Abuja as DWAI marks the Annual International Day of PwDs, 2020.
In commemoration of the day, DWAI aims at promoting the well-being of PwDs in all spheres of societal development as well as increasing society’s awareness level of the situation of Deaf/women with disabilities in the area of accessible health care and information.
Emphasizing on the apt catchphrase ‘nothing about us without us’, the Executive Director said: “As the community of PwDs is faced with exclusion, it is crucial to involve PwDs in devising solutions to the problems.”
Stressing on DWAI’s inclusion thrust, Madam Beyioku-Alase says, “we strive to experience a community where no Deaf women and girls are discriminated against, neglected or denied access to health services”.
In her address, Mrs Azeez Bukola explained that “Inclusive society is achieved when there is continuous engagement and improved communication with health care workers on disability rights, respect for all human rights, and rule of law.
“When everyone, irrespective of background, disability or culture participate in civic, social, economic, and political activities and have universal access to public infrastructure and facilities, that’s Inclusion.”