The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has distributed educational materials and assistive devices to children and students with disabilities as part of efforts to promote inclusive and quality education across Nigeria.
The intervention was carried out at the National Women Development Centre, Abuja, under the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Enabling Learning: Equipping Children with Disabilities for Inclusive and Quality Education.”
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, the Head of the Health and Rehabilitation Unit, Dr. Aisha Ali Yahaya, said the initiative went beyond the distribution of materials, describing it as a practical step towards removing barriers that prevent children with disabilities from fully participating in education.
According to Gufwan, the Commission is adopting a needs-based approach to ensure that support provided to learners is appropriate and relevant to their individual needs. He stressed the importance of assessment, orientation, teacher support, caregiver involvement and follow-up.
He reaffirmed the NCPWD’s commitment to working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, ECOWAS, schools, families, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and development partners to make inclusive education a reality.
“When we remove barriers, children can learn. When we provide the right support, children can participate. When we create inclusive systems, children can thrive,” he said.
The Head of the Education Unit, Dr. Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, appreciated the participation of schools, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and other stakeholders, noting that the intervention was about taking practical action to remove barriers to education.
He said education is a fundamental right, but many learners with disabilities require additional support, including Braille and large-print materials, communication support, mobility aids, adapted learning resources and assistive technology.
The official presentation of the educational materials and assistive devices was performed by the representative of the Executive Secretary.
Beneficiary institutions included the FCT School for the Deaf, Kuje; FCT School for Children with Special Needs, Kuje; Government Junior Secondary School, Pasali; Government Junior Secondary School, Kwali; Government Junior Secondary School, Kuje; Government Senior Secondary School, Kuje; and Government Senior Secondary School, Kwali.
The materials distributed included school bags, notebooks, mathematical sets, Braille papers, sign language dictionaries, slates and styluses, guide canes, blind balls and other learning aids.
Addressing the pupils, Dr. Ogunbiyitan said the resources were intended to help them learn, participate and pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and independence.
He reminded the students that their disabilities did not diminish their right to education, talents or potential, urging them to make good use of the materials and take proper care of the devices provided to them.
Also speaking, the Head of the Assistive Devices and Technology Unit, Dr. Ismail Idris, said the Commission was committed not only to providing assistive devices but also to ensuring that their provision followed international best practices.
He said the Commission was working towards making assistive devices available in hospitals, schools and centres where persons with disabilities could easily access them. He also acknowledged the support of ECOWAS and other partners towards improving the wellbeing and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Among the assistive devices presented were paediatric wheelchairs, standing frames, bath chairs, elbow crutches, axillary crutches, guide canes, Braille papers, blind balls, slates and styluses.
Idris said the distribution demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to access, inclusion and equal opportunity, adding that the NCPWD remained determined to ensure that children and students with disabilities were not left behind.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Oyama Prospect, a visually impaired student of Government Secondary School, Kwali, commended the NCPWD for the support, describing it as a stepping stone towards helping students with disabilities excel in their academic pursuits.
The NCPWD reiterated its commitment to working with government institutions, schools, families, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen inclusive education across Nigeria.
The Commission also called on stakeholders to build an educational system where every child is seen, every learner is supported and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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