By JENNIFER YARIMA
THE Federal Government’s recent step to seal offices and public buildings without provisions for persons living with disabilities is a welcome development. This move aims to cushion the persistent hardships faced by individuals with disabilities in Nigeria. The struggles of persons with disabilities in Nigeria are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the societal fabric.
Persons with disabilities face various challenges, including physical and mental impairments that substantially limit their life activities. These impairments may include vision or hearing impairments, mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other conditions that affect their daily lives.
Unfortunately, societal attitudes towards persons with disabilities are often unfavorable. They are frequently treated with disdain, leading to mistreatment and stigmatization. Persons with disabilities often struggle to find relevance among their peers, facing challenges in accessing job opportunities, schools’ enrollment, marriage partners, economic opportunities, and safe spaces for social interactions.
In many ethnic groups in Nigeria, persons with disabilities are often viewed as a curse from the gods or the result of witchcraft. This harmful belief leads to stigmatization of families with individuals with disabilities. However, it is essential to recognize that disabilities can result from various factors, including birth defects or injuries sustained during life.
One of the significant challenges faced by persons with disabilities is limited accessibility to public spaces, transportation, and buildings. Inadequate infrastructure and a lack of universally designed environments create obstacles, limiting mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities.
Despite legislative efforts to promote inclusive education, barriers persist within educational institutions. Inaccessible facilities, a lack of appropriate accommodations, and a shortage of trained educators contribute to the academic challenges faced by students with disabilities.
The job market can be particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities, with inaccessible workplaces limiting their employment opportunities. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from employers and policymakers.
Public transportation systems often fail to consider the needs of people with disabilities, with insufficient accommodations such as wheelchair ramps and audible announcements creating barriers to independent mobility.
Persons living with disabilities are often relegated to the background and are vulnerable to abuse. Many are forced to beg for alms in public places, making them susceptible to sexual molestation and ritual targeting.
To address these challenges, Nigeria has called for the establishment of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs. This agency aims to integrate regional disability policies and strategies for rehabilitation and equal opportunities in communities. It also seeks to provide mechanisms to protect, promote, support, and respect the actions of people with disabilities.
Nigeria has also launched the ‘Beyond Disability’ project, which aims to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. The project seeks to raise awareness and challenge harmful societal attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.
The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 is a significant step towards promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. The Act gives a 5-year window for all public buildings to create access for persons with disabilities.
The ECOWAS ministers have adopted an action plan on social inclusion to bridge the gaps affecting people with disabilities. The plan advocates for the employment of persons with disabilities as part of the commission’s effort to prioritize inclusion. This plan covers the period of 2022 to 2030 and aims to impact the living conditions of people with disabilities by guaranteeing their rights and full participation in society.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Humanitarian Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow, has assured that the sub-regional body will deploy all necessary support to ensure social inclusion of people with disabilities becomes a reality.
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is an agency in Nigeria established in 2020 to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensure their inclusiveness in every sector. The commission, headed by James David Lalu, aims to implement policies, programs, and projects on disability and development across the country to end discrimination against the approximately 31 million disabled people in Nigeria.
The challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in societal attitudes and environmental barriers. However, with the establishment of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs, the launch of the ‘Beyond Disability’ project, and the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, Nigeria is taking significant steps towards promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is also working tirelessly to ensure the rights and inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
With continued efforts and awareness, Nigeria can become a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are valued and empowered to reach their full potentials.
