The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), in collaboration with the Deafblind Inclusion and Advocacy Network (DIAN), has commemorated the 2026 International Deafblind Awareness Week with a policy roundtable aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with deafblindness.
The event, themed “Leaving No One Behind: Enhancing Health, Education and Rehabilitation Training for Nigerians with Deafblindness,” brought together government officials, disability advocates, healthcare professionals, educators, development partners and members of the deafblind community to review progress in disability inclusion and develop practical strategies for improving access to essential services.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Ali-Balogun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to inclusive education, stressing that Lagos was moving beyond mere integration to achieving true inclusion for learners with disabilities. Represented by the Ministry’s Inclusive Education Desk Officer, Mr. Azeez Aliu, the Commissioner commended DIAN for its advocacy on behalf of one of the country’s most underserved disability groups.
He noted that children with deafblindness possess immense potential and should not be defined by their disabilities but by the opportunities available to them. According to him, the real challenge lies in ensuring access to early identification, tactile learning, assistive technology, trained interveners and communication systems tailored to their unique needs.
Ali-Balogun disclosed that the Lagos State Government is strengthening inclusive education through curriculum adaptation, provision of Braille materials, tactile sign language resources, teacher aides, continuous teacher training, as well as improved early screening and intervention programmes. He added that the initiatives are designed to equip learners with deafblindness with the skills required to live independently and contribute meaningfully to society.
Addressing participants, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, represented by the Director of Social Development and Integration, Mr. Kelani Akeem, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting policies and programmes that improve the quality of life of persons with deafblindness.
She observed that many persons with deafblindness continue to face barriers in accessing quality healthcare, education and social services, explaining that the policy dialogue was organised to assess progress, identify existing gaps and recommend practical interventions that would expand access to healthcare, inclusive education, assistive technology and rehabilitation services.
Earlier in his remarks, the Founder and Executive Director of Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation, Mr. Solomon Okelola, said the Deafblind Inclusion and Advocacy Network (DIAN), established on October 8, 2024, was created to advance the academic, health and social inclusion of persons with deafblindness across Nigeria.
He explained that the network is committed to empowering persons with deafblindness to attain self-reliance, independence and active participation in society. Okelola called for increased investment in specialised training for teachers and healthcare professionals, greater funding for assistive devices and rehabilitation services, improved disability data collection to support evidence-based policymaking, and stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector.
The roundtable concluded with stakeholders making far-reaching recommendations aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive policies and expanding opportunities for persons with deafblindness in the areas of health, education, rehabilitation and social development, while reaffirming their collective resolve to ensure that no one is left behind.
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