The Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the Kwara Government to establish a disability commission to be domiciled directly under Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazak to cater for the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The Group made the call in Ilorin during a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Right-Based Advocacy and Human Rights Recording for Sexual and Reproductive Health/Disability Rights Advocates on Friday.
Mr Edward Ogenyi, the Technical Support Specialist of VDI, who advised that the state governor should be saddled with the responsibility of taking care of PWDs underscored the need for a Disability Commission to oversee their affairs in Kwara.
Ogenyi also said “There is need to set up Disability Support Desks and engage Sign Language Interpreters in government healthcare facilities to enable PWDs to access healthcare services with ease.
“These include the deaf, blind, persons with albinism, and the physically challenged,” he said.
He commended the efforts of the state government for providing legal framework for the protection of the rights of PWDs through the enactment of the Discrimination against PWDs (Prohibition) Law in 2017.
He urged the state government to maintain the status of being pacesetter in disability inclusion, adding that Kwara was among the first set of states in Nigeria to enact the Disability Rights Law.
Mrs Catherine Edeh, the Executive Director of VDI, said the initiative focuses on five thematic areas, namely: Rights of PWDs, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Inclusive Education, Gender- Based Violence and Economic Empowerment.
According to her, the NGO is guided by the principle of meaningful inclusion to ensure that women, girls and children with disabilities are not left behind.
The executive director called for effective operationalisation of the Discrimination against PWDs (Prohibition) Act, saying “the act portends bright future for an inclusive society in the country.”
She added that available data indicates that about 16 states out of 36 states of the federation have domesticated and enacted the Discrimination Against PWDs Act.
Mrs Joy Bolarin, the Woman-Leader of the Joint National Association of Women With Disability, lamented the challenges PWDs face in their daily lives.
She, however, expressed optimism that the Disability Commission, when established, would go a long way to provide equity for people with disabilities.