A lot of concerns are being raised about the high rate of number of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria. NGOZI NWANKWO examines the plights of these persons and suggests how government, institutions and well meaning individuals can come to their aid
In Nigeria, the community of persons with bodily disabilities is growing at a geometric rate. Every act of terrorism, road and domestic accidents, medical misdiagnosis, parents’ refusal to immunise their children against polio and other killer diseases, collapsed buildings and many others leave victims as potential temporary or permanent members of the Persons With Disabilities.
According to history, the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons was held from 1983 to 1992 to enable governments and organisations to implement measures to improve the life of disabled persons all over the world. On October 14, 1992, as this decade drew to a close, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled Persons. This day was the first observed on December 3, 1992. On December 18, 2007, the assembly changed the observance’s name from the “International Day of Disabled Persons” to the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities”. The new name was first used in 2008.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is coordinated by United Nations Enable, which works to support and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
It is true that Nigeria normally celebrates this day with other countries in the world, but the main question is: how realistic is this day to the life of the disabled persons in the society? Unfortunately, some concerned citizens who spoke to Nigerian Pilot revealed that even though Nigeria is signatory to UN Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities, the rights of persons with disabilities are hardly respected in the country. Many state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, according to reports, have been harassing and arresting those who engage in street begging to earn a living.
According to the founder of the Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake, persons with disabilities are vulnerable and marginalised lots. The enabling environment is lacking for these persons to realise their full potential. “We always view them from the prism of invalids and dependants. Our mindset is that they are beggars and never-do-wells”, he said.
The IDPD is designed to raise public awareness on the need to support and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. However, many families discriminate against members who are physically or mentally challenged. They are hardly shown any love and care. Instead, they are cursed, insulted and tormented for bringing ‘bad luck’ to the family. Many who are not born with their disabilities could either not get a good spouse to marry or if married, are deserted by their spouses. In terms of access, persons with disabilities lack adequate access to education, health, recreational facilities and public institutions generally.
In recent times, concerned individuals have suggested that more schools should be built for children with disabilities. Not only that, education should be made free for these special people. Same for health medicare. Many of the public and private offices are not accessible to persons on wheelchair and crutches. Many of them cannot enter banks, hotels and high rise buildings because of the security doors, malfunctioning elevators and absence of ramps.
In terms of employment opportunities, many Persons With Disabilities, though brilliant and with good academic certificates, are discriminated against at job interviews. Employers see them as a burden as they may not be as agile as their able-bodied counterparts while some may also need regular medical attention.
Moreso, in politics, political party leaders will hardly give them tickets to fly flag of the party at any election; be it local, state or national. This is because of the wrong notion that they are unelectable. Even the election management bodies do not have special provisions for them either in the area of voter education or special ballot paper, especially for the blind. There have been recommendation that government should design a scheme that will give opportunities to persons with disabilities who want to acquire vocational skills to do so free of charge.
Report revealed that fir many years now, persons with disabilities through the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities have been demanding the passage of the National Disability Bill. Twice, this bill had been passed into law by the National Assembly. Unfortunately, the bill has been denied presidential assent twice. Yet, Nigeria is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which under Article 4 mandates member states to pass national legislation on disability. Last year, the Senate passed the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2014 into law after it went through third reading in the house. Senator Nurudeen Abatemi sponsored the bill.
Presenting the Bill, Senator Adamu noted that over 10 percent of Nigeria’s population was disabled. He added that these people were confronted by several challenges, including marginalization occasioned by discrimination on the basis of their infirmity. Gumba stressed that the bill sought legal protection against any form of discrimination they suffer either directly or indirectly. He disclosed that without the necessary legislative protection, it will be very difficult to address their plight.
“The legislation would seek for the establishment of an agency that would cater for their needs such as healthcare, employment opportunities, and easy access to both public and private establishments.” He revealed that the Sixth Senate had passed the bill into law but President Goodluck Jonathan withheld assent hence the need for this version of the bill.
The Senator averred that the current initiative took cognizance of the positions and attempts to propose a very small Agency that would be cost effective, stressing that almost all the Board Members of the Agency will be on part time basis. It is not enough to pass the bill without implementing same, just as it is not out of place for government to design a scheme that will give opportunities to persons with disabilities who want to acquire vocational skills to do so free of charge.
The post Helping physically challenged Nigerians appeared first on Nigeria pilot.