Association of Persons with Disabilities, Badagry chapter (APWD) has called on Badagry Local Government, Chairman, Hon. Adeniran Olusegun Onilude, House of Representative, Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon Prince Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, and Badagry House of Assembly Constituency I and II, Hon. Solomon Bonu and Hon. Setonji David to appoint Senior Special Assistant (SSA) and Special Assistant (SA) on Disability matters.
The Association made the call at the maiden International day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) organised by the Association at ASCON on Wednesday.
The Chairman of the Association, Mr Ekundayo Sejoro said the appointments will ensure persons with disabilities are given top priorities.
“The level of negligence shown to disability community by these lawmakers in Badagry is too high and there is need for change.
“We are also calling on Badagry Local Government and Olorunda and Badagry West Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to do more for people with disabilities.
“These levels of government have done very little in providing social support for people with disabilities in Badagry especially in implementing 10% quota meant for these vulnerable persons in every intervention and empowerment programmes made by the governments in compliance with Lagos state special people’s law 2011 and Nigeria Disability Law 2018.”
INN reports that PWDs in Badagry face 10 times various challenges that hinder their full and equal participation in society. These include limited access to public buildings, limited access to education and empowerment opportunities, inadequate education and employment opportunities, social exclusion, and insufficient healthcare services, these are just few of so many challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Badagry on a daily basis.
The Chairman also urged the General Hospitals including Primary Healthcare and private hospitals in Badagry, to employ Sign Language interpreters to facilitate access to communications between the Deaf and health workers so as to prevent mis-medication, give priority to disabled women and employ persons with disabilities in the hospital.
“We are also calling on education stakeholders to employ more special needs teachers in all special schools in Badagry as there are shortage of teachers in Badagry and it has massive negative effects on children with disabilities in Badagry.” He said.