FAECARE Foundation through its ongoing project, Disability Rights initiative project carried out an advocacy visit to the National Television Authority (NTA), Port Harcourt.
The visit was aimed at pushing for accessibility of the physical environment and to promote the rights of persons with Disabilities in Rivers State.
The visiting team led by trained FAECARE Disability Advocates together with some staff and volunteers were warmly received by Dr (Mrs) Evelin Nwosu the Zonal Director NTA Port Harcourt.
INN reports that the media is an identified stakeholder for disability advocacy and crucial in pushing the right narrative and promoting disability rights.
FAECARE Foundation spoke on the importance of inclusion and positive media representation of persons with disabilities. promoting accessibility of the physical environment, and accessibility in all media contents including the building, sign language interpretation, promote accessible events, to ensure that media content is accessible to everyone.
The group also identified some challenges and issues around accessibility and made some recommendations to include, promote accessible events and initiatives, provision of a sign language interpretation for news and other programs, feature more persons with disabilities as guests on TV programs, support awareness campaigns for disability rights.
The Zonal Director NTA Port Harcourt in her response noted the premium NTA Port Harcourt places on disability programs, pledging to support the cause of the project.
In her own words “there is ability in disability, you don’t have to beg to live, you don’t have to let anyone bring you down because you have any form of disability, and as a station, NTA Port Harcourt has always believed in the rights of PWDs we will never shy away.”
She further pledged to support the Foundation by giving program opportunities to discuss more on aspects of Disability Rights. She added that there has always been a sign language interpreter during their broadcast and will maintain it as a standard.
“NTA Port Harcourt is willing to maintain on-going dialogue with your Foundation to address any emerging issues related to disability inclusion.” She said