Ten Disability-Oriented Inclusive Organisations You Should Know

In many instituted societies around the world, inclusiveness is rarely given human face. It is factual because in many places, privileges and opportunities are severely skewed on the basis of several sentiments — colour, race, disability, education, caste and many more.

However, some individuals and groups have taken it as their innate responsibilities to break the barriers in order to promote an inclusive society where there is equal opportunity for everyone no matter their peculiarities.

As part of  our effort to promote the culture of inclusiveness, INN presents a list of 10 organisations pushing the agenda of inclusiveness.

Read on …

1. CENTRE FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES (CCD)

CCD is a non-profit human rights organisation of, and for persons with disabilities. Founded by Mr David Anyeale, the organisation works to promote inclusion, participation, access, and the mainstreaming of issues of critical concern of citizens with disabilities in the programmes and activities of state and non-state institutions.

The CCD was established in 2002 in Lagos and incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja as a charity organisation; it also work to educate, support and empower persons with disabilities and their families to maximise their potential.

The CCD’s office which is based in Lagos can be located at 8 Ladipo Kuku Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

“The organisation was founded Mr Anyeale as a result of his harrowing experiences in the hands of the rebel warlords in the war-torn Sierra Leone who cruelly amputated his two hands, thereby forcefully consigning him into physical disability,” the  CCD website revealed

CCD’s mandate and objectives are:

To protect, promote and safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and promote public enlightenment in civic education, human rights and public policy.

To initiate and implement programmes, policies and activities geared toward the promotion and enhancement of the welfare of persons with disabilities.

To empower or assist in empowering persons with disabilities and regularly access the impact of public policy on human rights and report on same through publications seminars, workshops and lectures.

To educate, sensitise, counsel and mobilize persons with disabilities in various areas critical to their survival and progress and support and advocate for respect for the rule of law and due process.

To monitor the formulation and implementation of policies that impact on or are of public interest as relevant to persons with disabilities and publish reports, newsletters, journals or policy papers on same.

To organize seminars, symposia, conferences on cutting edges issues and trends in socio-political and economic development as they affect persons with disabilities.

CCD collaborates regularly with organisations like: Campaign 2015+, Nigeria Disability Forum, Coalition of Disability Organisations, (CODO); Lagos State Civil Society Coalition, and International Campaign Against Impunity among others.

2. DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCACY CENTER (DRAC)

As the name implies, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) is an organisation established to provide the a platform and a strong voice to for a movement that championed a more organised and strategic response to disability issues with a development mindset. That is, the organisation provides an avenue of expression for people leaving with disability in order to promote inclusion. It was founded by Ms Irene Patrick-Ogbogu.

3. The CEDAR SEED FOUNDATION (CSF)

The Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-sectarian, development organisation that promotes the participation of people with disabilities in all opportunities and human rights based agenda and development.

The youth-focused organisation work to mainstream the concerns of persons with disabilities in Nigeria into the national development agenda based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

One of the reasons why CSF stands out and remains committed to its objectives is that Ms. Lois Auta,  the founder and Executive Director she uses a wheelchair but did not allowed that to be a barrier to her.

The CSF was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria in 2013

CSF development strategies include: legislative advocacy, capacity building, development networking and civic engagement in Nigeria.


4. JOINT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (JONAPWD)

JONAPWD is an umbrella organisation of persons with disability established in Nigeria to promote the rights and development of Nigerians with disabilities. The organisation was established in 1992, to represent the interests of the teeming population of persons with disabilities at the local and international level.

JONAPWD is a member of the International body called Disabled People’s International (DPI). It serves as a link between Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Nigeria and the international community. It is composed of six disabled groups which are the Blind, the physically disabled, the deaf, the intellectually impaired, those with spinal cord injuries, and leprosy victims.

Though recognised by the Federal government, JONAPWD is not funded by the Government, rather its activities are funded by partner organisations like USAID and Coalitions for Change (C4C), among other local and international organisations.

JONAPWD has 36 state chapters, including Abuja FCT. Honorary supervision of the organisation is carried out by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. JONAPWD’s National Secretariat, situated in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is saddled with the responsibility for the management and administration of its activities at the national level. Its current president is Ms Ekaette Umoh.

5. DEAF WOMEN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (DWAN)

Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) is an umbrella body of all Deaf Women and girls in Nigeria. It was founded by Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase.

DWAN was registered in 2012 as a non-profit organisation. The organisation is also an associate member of World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).

DWAN  has branches and affiliated organisations spread across the 36 states of Nigeria including FCT that are working with different bodies or organisations toward inclusion of Deaf women and girls in Nigeria.

According to Beyioku-Alase, the founder of the organisation, its “areas of focus are Deaf girls Education, Sign-language, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Human trafficking and prevention, Deaf Women Empowerment, livestock farming, and Vocational Skills Training.”

6. INCLUSIVE NEWS NETWORK (INN)

INN is an Internet-based news website where the latest news about people living with disability and issues concerning them are published on a continual basis. INN publishes a combinations of news from people living with disability and Nigerian news in various forms ranging from Visual, Sign Language Videos and Articles. The network was founded by Sejoro Ekundayo Peter.

As suggested by its name, INN encourages reporters, writers and presenters from different sources who have related reports, article or stories to present. The has handles where articles can be sent to; they include www.inclusivenewsnetwork@gmail.com or support@inclusivenews.com.ng with a link of the writer’s blog or website.
   
7. THE INCLUSIVE FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (IFA)

IFA is a non-profit organisation for and by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) that works to bring issues related to disability to the forefront of national development through advocacy, training and action.

The organisation is located in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria. It was conceived and established during the two-year reign of the former Ms Wheelchair Nigeria queen, Grace Jerry and her team.

IFA is a PWD led and focused organization with vast experience in implementing democratic governance and sanitation programs. IFA has been part of a consortium that conducted Nigeria’s first and second ever polling unit accessibility audits (2016 Edo and Ondo governorship elections) and understands the need and methods of reaching and working with PWDs. IFA has a young and determined team that always look forward to meeting people and working out innovative means to create access for PWDs in Nigeria.

IFA envisions a world where persons with disabilities are supported to live fulfilled lives in their communities.

8. KPAKPANDO FOUNDATION

The Kpakpando Foundation for the Physically Challenged Persons (KFPCP) is a non-governmental charity organization that caters for the well-being of the PWDs in Nigeria.  

Kpakpando Foundation was established in October 2006 by Senator Osita Izunaso.
The Foundation is located at Lumumba street, Asokoro, Abuja.

It also focuses on providing PWDs across Nigeria with qualitative education, skills, healthcare and advocacy needs.

9. NIGERIA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF (NNAD)

NNAD, currently lead by Alhaji Sulaimon Dagbo,  is the umbrella body of deaf people in Nigerians. The organisation provides a united front for all deaf people and helps them to air matters peculiar to them without fear of stigma. It was registered in Nigeria as a not-for-profit Association of and for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing in Abuja, in August 1992. NNAD’s headquarters is in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The organisation, in its official profile described itself as “an Ordinary Member of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) with voting rights and privileges at the World General Assembly”. NNAD’s affiliate, WFD has Status B in the United Nations.

“The decisions of the United Nations on issues concerning the Deaf are the recommendations and submissions of the World Federation of the Deaf. In the same vein the decisions of governments of member countries on issues concerning the Deaf are expected to be the recommendations and submissions of the National Associations of the Deaf,” says the organisation in its profile.

10.  AFRICA FEDERATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS (AFSLI)

As the name implies AFSLI is the association of professional Sign Language Interpreters. It was established  in the quest to move the profession of Sign Language Interpretation forward in the Africa region.

AFSLI is a body structured on Sub-regional grouping. The regions include North Africa Region, South Africa Region, West Africa, East Africa and Central Africa Region.

The Regions are tasked with the responsibility of identifying their needs as it relates to interpreters educational needs or leadership needs.

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