The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, families, schools, healthcare providers, employers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote meaningful inclusion and improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
The General Manager of LASODA made the call while participating in the Patrick’s RiSE Summit 2026, held on Thursday, October 1, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The summit, organised to mark the 20th anniversary of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, was themed “From Cradle to Contribution” and brought together parents and families, educators, therapists, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, employers, advocates and other stakeholders to examine practical ways of supporting persons with disabilities from childhood through adulthood.
Speaking at the event, the LASODA General Manager stressed that meaningful disability inclusion could not be achieved by government or disability-focused organisations alone. She urged all stakeholders to embrace collective responsibility and work together to create inclusive environments where persons with disabilities can access education, participate fully in society and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
She also highlighted the growing importance of technology and innovation in advancing disability inclusion, particularly in improving access to education, communication, information, assistive services and other opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The LASODA General Manager further urged stakeholders to give greater attention to the privacy, dignity and protection of children with disabilities, particularly in the use and sharing of their images, personal information and personal stories.
She cautioned that while advocacy and public awareness remain important tools for advancing disability rights, they must be undertaken in ways that safeguard children’s dignity, privacy and rights and protect them from unnecessary exposure or exploitation.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, practical solutions and evidence-informed approaches towards building more inclusive systems that support persons with disabilities at every stage of life, in line with its theme, “From Cradle to Contribution.”
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