In Nigeria, the challenges faced by individuals with deaf-blindness—those who experience both vision and hearing loss—remained largely hidden and misunderstood for many years, especially before 2019. These individuals were seldom seen in public spaces or included in discussions around disability. The very existence of people with dual sensory impairment was acknowledged mainly by Special Education professionals, yet research and advocacy focused more on the difficulties posed by their conditions rather than solutions or ways to support them. The idea of educating or communicating with individuals who were both visually and hearing impaired seemed insurmountable to many.
Prior to 2019, only those with some degree of residual vision or hearing were visible in society. Even for them, it was a challenge for teachers, public officials, or even their own families to understand how best to support their integration into schools, workplaces, or religious centers. Completely deaf-blind individuals were entirely absent from these discussions, and no disability advocates or researchers reported having met someone with complete dual sensory loss.
A Turning Point: The Emergence of Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation
Everything changed in September 2019, when Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation organized its first public awareness campaign, a rally aimed at bringing the issue of deaf-blindness to light. The rally, held in Lagos State, Nigeria, specifically raised awareness about Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leads to both vision and hearing loss. The event was led by two inspiring individuals with deaf-blindness, Mr. Solomon “Lionheart” Okelola and Mr. Oluseyi “Wonder” Eniyansoro. Despite being a small effort, it was a groundbreaking moment in Nigeria’s disability advocacy history.
That first rally, followed by another held in Abuja in conjunction with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities in December 2019, set the stage for a persistent and dedicated advocacy campaign. Funded personally by the founder and a few trustees of the organization, these efforts sparked a conversation about the rights and needs of citizens with deaf-blindness. The message was simple yet powerful: individuals with dual sensory impairments were being deprived of their fundamental human rights, often hidden away by families who assumed they could not contribute meaningfully to society.
Persistence Through Adversity: Growing Advocacy Efforts
The following years posed their challenges, particularly due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, the team at Lionheart did not waver. They turned to the internet to continue raising awareness about deaf-blindness. Their persistence paid off when the organization secured a grant from the Disability Rights Fund, allowing them to intensify their advocacy efforts. This marked the beginning of a full-fledged campaign, targeting government officials, policymakers, civil society organizations, Special Education professionals, the media, and the general public.
Their advocacy had two main goals: to educate the public about the nature of deaf-blindness, including how to identify affected individuals and understand their unique needs, and to locate individuals with both vision and hearing impairments across Lagos and the country. Importantly, this effort aimed to find not only those with some residual vision or hearing but also individuals who were completely deaf and blind.
Through partnerships with other organizations and associations, the advocacy group finally began seeing results. Families, previously reluctant to reveal their loved ones with dual sensory impairment, started coming forward. Parents, guardians, and family members brought their deaf-blind relatives to the forefront, joining Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation in its fight for recognition and the protection of their rights.
A Historic Gathering: The First Convening of Deaf-blind Families
A significant milestone in this journey came in January 2024 when the foundation hosted the first-ever gathering of families with deaf-blind individuals in Ilupeju, Lagos State. Supported by the Disability Rights Fund, this meeting marked a pivotal moment in the lives of those families. For the first time, they realized they were not alone in their struggles. It was an emotional and empowering experience, providing a space for families to draw strength from one another and build resilience in their shared fight for inclusion.
Many of these families had previously been isolated, unsure of how to advocate for the rights and needs of their deaf-blind relatives. Now, united by a common cause, they resolved to work together to ensure that deaf-blind individuals are recognized as equal members of society, deserving of access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. As the renowned deaf-blind activist Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can achieve so much.”
The Countdown Begins: Launching a New Dawn for Deaf-blind Advocacy
With this newfound momentum, the group is preparing for what promises to be a groundbreaking event: the official launch of their new association and its maiden national conference. Scheduled for October 9th to 11th, 2024, in Lagos State, the conference, themed “Out Of The Darkness Of Marginalization: Nothing About Disabilities Or Special Education Any Longer Without Deaf-blindness,” aims to bring together prominent figures from the disability community, Special Education professionals, and key policymakers.
The launch will not only serve as a platform to further educate the public and advocate for the rights of individuals with deaf-blindness, but it will also highlight the urgent need for partnerships. As Mr. Solomon Okelola, the founder of Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation, stated, “We ardently look forward to establishing working partnerships and the active participation of prospective donors, the government, and fellow organizations. Together, we can forge ahead in the difficult task of finding and ensuring academic, health, social, and all-round inclusion for these unique, marginalized members of the disability community.”
Call for Support and Donations
To ensure the success of the upcoming national conference and the continued search for marginalized individuals with deaf-blindness, Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation is calling for support. Donations can be made to the following account:
- Account Name: Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation
- Account Number: 1023022127
- Bank: United Bank for Africa
Members of civil society organizations, Special Education professionals, disability advocates, philanthropists, researchers, and the general public who wish to attend the conference or learn more about the organization’s work are encouraged to reach out via email or phone:
- Email: socialchangeafrica@gmail.com, deafblindintegratorafrica@gmail.com
- Phone: 08068639028 or 08094299194
Stay Connected
Stay updated with Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation by following their social media platforms:
- Instagram: LALIF Africa
- Facebook: Lionheart Ability Leaders
- Twitter: @AbilityLeaders
- YouTube: Lionheart Ability Leaders Channel
- TikTok: LALIF on TikTok
As the countdown to the launch continues, one thing is clear: a new dawn is breaking for individuals with deaf-blindness in Nigeria, and their voices will no longer be silenced.
