The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to ensure that public services are accessible and inclusive to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The Commission gave the charge at a Disability Inclusion and Inclusive Materials Distribution Programme held at Jasmine Hotel, Imo State Liaison Office, Abuja, with the theme, “Promoting Disability Inclusion and Accessibility in Public Service Delivery.”
Organised by the Social Integration Department of the Commission, the programme brought together representatives of MDAs, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, consultants and other stakeholders committed to advancing disability rights and inclusion in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Aliyu Agwai, commended participants for their commitment to building a society where PWDs can access public services with dignity, equality and without unnecessary barriers.
Gufwan noted that the programme went beyond the distribution of inclusive materials, describing it as an opportunity to raise awareness, share practical knowledge and strengthen collaboration between the Commission and government institutions.
He stressed that meaningful disability inclusion requires the collective efforts of government institutions, professionals and persons with disabilities, urging participating MDAs to identify accessibility challenges within their institutions and adopt practical, low-cost and sustainable measures to address them.
The technical session, delivered by the Commission’s Technical Adviser, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, featured interactive discussions on disability inclusion, practical demonstrations on the use of inclusive materials and the distribution of accessibility aids to participating MDAs to enhance service delivery to PWDs.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, represented by Deputy Director, Mrs. Realist Rachel Namah, assured the Commission of the Ministry’s support towards promoting the rights and well-being of PWDs through the creation of accessible and inclusive working environments.
Similarly, Mr. Nuhu Saleh, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, commended the NCPWD for the initiative, saying it would help MDAs create more accessible and inclusive workplaces for PWDs.
Presenting the materials to the participating MDAs, Mrs. Gloria Victor, Senior Assistant Chief Community Development Officer, Social Integration Department, emphasised the need for government institutions to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and guidelines established to protect the rights and welfare of PWDs.
She also encouraged the participating institutions to conduct step-down training sessions for their staff to ensure that knowledge gained from the programme translates into improved accessibility and service delivery.
Materials distributed included copies of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018; Nigeria Sign Language Dictionary; Persons with Disabilities Regulations, 2023; Braille-transcribed copies of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018; and the Nigeria Sign Language Fingerspelling Alphabet Chart, among other inclusive materials.
The programme concluded with the NCPWD reiterating that sustained collaboration with MDAs remains central to the effective implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the promotion of an inclusive public service where no person with a disability is left behind.
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