Enjoin govt to adopt social model rather than charity model.
A deaf man, Yusuf Kumo, a graduate of political science, an advocate of inclusion and pioneer president, Gombe State Deaf Students Association, has called on Gov Inuwa of Gombe state to go beyond charity in tackling issues concerning persons with disability in the north, INN reports.
In an article written by him and sent to INN, Kumo praised Bauchi state Governor for his laudable gestures towards persons with disability in form of charity as his wife recently visited the Bauchi state Agency for persons with disability to show them love and get first hand information on the needs and challenges of persons with disabilities in the state.
Acccording to Kumo, “the visit so far started yielding positive result as the State government recently before sallah approved the sum of 12m for persons with disability from the 20 LGs for sallah celebration considering the fact that most of them are vulnerable”.
While praising the laudable moves, Kumo said it was necessary for the government to empower and employ persons with disability for self reliance. “The government need to adopt social model of disability rather than charity model which views people as an object of charity and pity unlike the social model view disabled people as an object of inclusion in Government, policy and programs for self reliance.’
He commended some northeast Governors and representatives for adopting inclusive policies by including people with disability in their government, policy and programs notably the Yobe state government which not only included competent and qualified people with disability as part of its committee but also announced scholarship for 20 physically challenged persons to study in Turkey.
He further explained that the Borno state government announced that it would empower all persons with disability with #30,000 monthly for a period of 3years to reduce the menace of street begging, nuisance of mendicancy and promote self reliance.
Kumo stated that people with disability from Gombe state would remain hopeful and prayful that His Excellency Alh.Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya would soon appoint a committee to review or identify the needs and challenges confronting each clusters of persons with disability which to the best of his knowledge were Education, Employment, Empowerment though the committee might come up with a better recommendations after identifying the problems confronting each clusters with disability, reviewing best alternative policies.
He also pointed out that there was need for establishment an agency for persons with disability which would also address the challenges and needs of persons with disability directly to the governor and not put it under the ministry of women affairs which for long had neglected persons with disability with no positive impact on their lives.
While emphasizing on the need for education, Kumo urged deaf people and peoples with disability from Gombe state to remain calm and hopeful that His Excellency Inuwa Yahaya would soon address their plights.