Persons with disabilities cutting across various associations have called on the federal government to implement the disability laws which they have assented to under different conventions to ensure their full inclusion into society and safeguard their fundamental human rights.
Speaking at the weekend during a media briefing organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ms Ekaete Umoh, the Vice Chair, West Africa Federation of the Disabled (WAFOD) said that the non-implementation of the laws have further increased the plight of Persons with Disabilities in Society.
Commending the commission for its leadership role in charting a way forward with its study on the plights of persons with disabilities across the sub-region geared towards developing an action plan to address their challenges Umoh said, “it is the responsibility of governments to take care of its citizens because the strength of a government is measured by how much it can take care of the most vulnerable persons in the society.
“We are excited we have the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and on our part, we working in collaboration with the Commission to see to the implementation of the disability law.
“Because that we have a piece of document does not translate to rights.
“We can have those law stacks somewhere but the lack of implementation will not lead to the realization of rights”, Umoh said.
Umoh further kicked against the stereotype on persons with disabilities known for street begging saying that a lot of able-bodied persons also beg on the street for survival.
According to her the proper inclusion of persons with disabilities, especially in employment will reduce their dependency on people for survival.