The Abia State Commission for Persons with Disabilities has pledged stronger support for Deaf women and other members of the Deaf community through inclusive employment, education, economic empowerment and social intervention programmes.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. David Anyaele, made the commitment when he received the South East Deaf Women Association (SEOWA) and representatives of the Abia State Deaf Elders during a courtesy visit to his office at the Government House, Umuahia, on Friday.
Anyaele described Deaf persons as an important component of the disability community, assuring the delegation that the Commission would continue to work with them to identify opportunities capable of improving their livelihoods and participation in the socio-economic development of Abia State.
He said the administration of Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, remained deliberate in its commitment to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities, pointing to the recruitment of several Deaf women into the state government workforce as evidence of its inclusive approach.
The Commission chairman stressed that qualified persons with disabilities would continue to receive consideration for available employment opportunities, while assuring the Deaf community of continued access to relevant government programmes and interventions.
He added that Deaf persons had already benefited from various government initiatives for persons with disabilities, including interventions supported by the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Lady Priscilla C. Otti.
On education, Anyaele disclosed that the state has a secondary school for Deaf students, promising that the institution would be progressively upgraded to provide better learning conditions.
He specifically highlighted plans to improve hostel facilities for both male and female Deaf students, stressing that access to quality and inclusive education remained critical to the future of Deaf children.
The chairman also disclosed that the Commission was working towards strengthening sign-language interpretation services through the recruitment of qualified interpreters.
He therefore called on qualified sign-language interpreters in the state to make themselves available, noting that effective communication was essential to ensuring that Deaf persons could fully access public services and participate in government programmes.
Earlier, SEOWA South East Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Maria Chidimma Alufo-Ekpo, said the delegation visited the Commission to draw attention to challenges confronting Deaf persons in Abia, particularly women and children.
Alufo-Ekpo appealed for greater inclusion of Deaf women in government-backed livelihood and empowerment initiatives, especially agriculture, small businesses and other income-generating programmes.
She said access to economic opportunities would enable Deaf women to become more financially independent, improve their families’ wellbeing and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
The SEOWA leader also appealed to the Commission to intervene in efforts to restore peace and unity within the Deaf community in Abia, warning that internal divisions could weaken advocacy efforts and undermine the progress already achieved.
She called for dialogue, reconciliation and stronger collaboration among Deaf community leaders and stakeholders, stressing that a united community would be better positioned to engage government and advocate effectively for the rights and welfare of Deaf persons.
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