As part of activities organised by FAECARE Foundation in her Disability Rights Initiative Project, advocacy, awareness and courtesy visits to key audiences and stakeholders were carried out. A team of Disability Rights Advocates from FAECARE, carried out series of courtesy visits to an identified stakeholder being National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to push towards reducing inequalities and advancing the rights of Persons with Disabilities in Rivers State.
The team of advocates from FAECARE in three separate courtesy visits engaged with the union chairman, executives of the union and motor park. Focused on raising awareness and sensitizing them on current statutory provisions of the laws and the rights of Persons with Disabilities as detailed in the UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018. Especially as regards road transportation.
The team after highlighting some of the concerns, affirmed that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), are an important part of our great state, Rivers State and have the same rights as others to move around, which includes the ability to be transported and transport themselves from place to place.
Following from these very successful visits was the development of a guideline on how to handle Passengers with Disabilities for drivers who use the park. A one day sensitisation was set, where disability advocates would come with materials to sensitize the drivers in the park.
Focused on raising awareness and sensitization of drivers, conductors and other passengers in the Rumuokoro Park, Port Harcourt, disability advocates carried out a very successful sensitisation awareness and advocacy campaign.
After the presentation of easy to read formats of the UNCRPD and Discrimination act in English and pidgin English, and posters of the guideline on how to handle passengers with disabilities to the park chairman, NURTW chairman and executives, advocates went into the park and engaged directly with drivers and even other passengers. Information, Education and Communication Materials like pamphlets of the guidelines and stickers with key messages like Passenger Na Passenger, I no dey Discriminate where explained and handed to the drivers, while stickers were placed on several vehicles.
Discrimination because of Disability is NOT allowed and will NOT be tolerated is the commitment by those operating in Rumuokoro Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was an amazing opportunity to focus the attention of many, on Disability Rights, and it was made possible by FAECARE Foundation with support from Disability Rights Fund as part of Disability Rights Initiative Project.