TQM Report,
The International Day for Persons with Disabilities holds every 3rd December. In commemoration of this year’s World Disability Day, a FAECARE team led by Ndifreke Andrew-Essien (ED of FAECARE Foundation), Assumpta Ebiriukwu and Osaki Theresa Georgewill engaged in a week long series of Media Advocacy.
It happened between 1st-7th December 2021.
It is consists of Media Advocacy via Radio discussions in line with this year’s theme “Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid – 19 world, riveting conversations to raise awareness, sensitize and educate the public.
Many Questions came up including why it is important to create Leadership opportunities and promote participation for persons with disabilities. In the conversations we explored practical keys to improving the lives of people with disabilities in Nigeria among other key conversations.
KEY MESSAGES & RECOMMENDATIONS
?Disability Inclusion strategy is an intentional act of removing barriers that exclude Persons with Disabilities.
?Participation and not just Representation is what we must insist on. PWDs are not just available to make up the numbers and quotas, we want to be part of the conversations and decision making.
?Persons with Disabilities in leadership or aspiring leadership, must build thier capacity to lead and expertise in areas of concern.
?Advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities or talking about disabilities or issues related to disabilities is not a one time or one day event, it must be continuos and intentional
?The Media must continually support disability advocacy and awareness raising. They play a key role in how the public perceives disability, in how they project stereotypes that help form these perceptions.
?Organisations, Cooperate Bodies and Institutions should have an inclusive policy/ Disability Inclusion Policy as a matter of priority.
?Government (Federal and State), must give attention to Disability Laws and their Implementation.
?Covid-19 had many lessons for everyone which we should not forget:
?Interventions put in place by Government, private or social sector players must be inclusive from planning, with PWDs as part of the process and not an after thought during implementation.
?Poor access to health information for a group of Persons, will affect everyone. Always ensure information sharing is inclusive.
?Health Systems that are not inclusive will remain ineffective
?Remote working has opened more opportunities and access to work, as traditional 9-5 is not the only way to be employed.
Disability Inclusion was pivotal in all of the conversations and it was amplified by the FAECARE Team that “Disability Inclusion Starts with You and I”
Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation (FAECARE FOUNDATION) wishes all Happy International Day for Persons with Disabilities 
