The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities have expressed their readiness to collaborate on initiatives aimed at strengthening disability advocacy, improving accessibility and promoting the rights and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Lagos State.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Association, led by its President, Tosan Ene, Esq., to the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, at the Agency recently.
Speaking during the visit, Ene said the Association was at LASODA to identify areas of mutual collaboration that would contribute to advancing the rights and participation of Persons with Disabilities in the State.
He explained that the proposed partnership would focus particularly on advocacy, accessibility and legal empowerment, while leveraging the professional expertise of lawyers with disabilities and the institutional capacity of LASODA to address barriers that hinder the full participation of PWDs in society.
Responding, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal, briefed the delegation on some of the Agency’s ongoing programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting disability inclusion, particularly in the areas of advocacy and accessibility.
She highlighted LASODA’s engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), on initiatives towards the provision of special number plates for Persons with Disabilities and their caregivers. According to her, the initiative is intended to facilitate easier identification and improve access to relevant services.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal also highlighted LASODA’s accessibility checklists, public awareness programmes and other interventions designed to identify and address environmental and institutional barriers to accessibility, while promoting a more inclusive society for Persons with Disabilities across Lagos State.
She assured the delegation of LASODA’s willingness to partner with the Association, stressing that the Agency remained open to strategic collaborations that would strengthen disability advocacy and promote the rights, dignity, welfare and participation of Persons with Disabilities.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to explore concrete areas of collaboration. The Association also assured LASODA that it would submit a formal proposal outlining specific areas of partnership for the Agency’s consideration and further action.
Also present at the meeting were members of the Association, Gbelupe Joseph, Esq.; Lukman Salami, Esq.; Mariah Kazeem, Esq.; and Eno Agofure, Esq., as well as the Head of the Legal Department, LASODA, Babatunde Safiu, Esq.
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