National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD), Kogi State chapter, has submitted a report to the government on physical accessibility audit on public infrastructure and spaces in the state.
National Chairman of the Association, Rilwan Mohammed, said since the establishment of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), in 2020, the association began the process of drafting the National Minimum Accessibility Code, as a guide towards achieving accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and create an enabling barrier-free environment.
People with disabilities in Kogi State have raised concerns over barriers that exclude them from participating as equal citizens with their peers, citing accessibility to public infrastructure, utilities and spaces.
The Association commended Kogi State government under Yahaya Bello for enacting the State Disability Law to guarantee accessibility and participation of Persons with Physical Disabilities to all life endeavours.
They are demanding accessible physical infrastructure, systems, services, and facilities that will enable people with disabilities to be protected from accidents at work places and during emergencies.
To achieve their goals of removing barriers, the association conducted the accessibility data of public infrastructure and services with drafted recommendations and submitted to the government for implementation.
The state Chairman of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Comrade Ibrahim Daniel Arome, thanked Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for the foresight and wisdom given to him by the Almighty God to propose the disability law.
