Stakeholders from disability community, government agencies and CSOs collaborate to create inclusive messages for BASICC II Project
ABUJA — The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), Abuja, has convened a two-day stakeholder workshop aimed at developing accessible Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to strengthen community awareness on disability rights and inclusive development in North Central Nigeria.
The workshop, held on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, 2026, formed part of the Bold Actions for Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusive Development in North Central Nigeria (BASICC II) Project supported by CBM International.
The initiative brought together key stakeholders drawn from the disability community, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations and disability-focused organisations.
Among the organisations represented were National Commission For Persons With Disabilities, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mimijane Foundation, The Qualitative Magazine, Abuja Association of the Deaf, as well as representatives of different disability clusters.
The broad representation ensured that the perspectives and communication needs of persons with different types of disabilities were considered throughout the development process.
Turning Disability Rights Into Accessible Messages
Participants were guided by experienced facilitators through practical sessions focused on developing IEC messages that are clear, simple, inclusive, rights-based and accessible to diverse audiences.
The workshop emphasised the importance of ensuring that disability rights messages do not merely raise awareness but also promote understanding, participation, dignity and inclusion.
Over the two days, participants worked collaboratively to develop communication messages and concepts that will be used to reach communities under the BASICC II Project.
The IEC materials developed are expected to include ( Flyers, Posters, Jingles, T-shirts and Face Caps, Jotter, Pen, Banner, amongst others) providing multiple channels through which disability rights and inclusion messages can reach the public.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences, identify communication barriers and ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities remain central to public awareness efforts.
Disability Community at the Centre
The strong participation of disability organisations and representatives of different disability clusters underscored the importance of “Nothing About Us Without Us” in disability communication and programming.
By involving persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in the development of the IEC materials, JDPCI and its partners are seeking to ensure that the messages reflect lived experiences and address real barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
The workshop was convened by JDPCI Abuja under the leadership of its Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni PhD, and represented at the workshop by Timothy Ejeh, Programmes Director, JDPCI.
The resulting IEC materials are expected to serve as practical tools for community sensitisation and advocacy, helping to increase public understanding of disability rights and encourage more inclusive communities across North Central Nigeria.
As BASICC II continues its work, the workshop demonstrates that effective disability inclusion begins not only with policies and programmes, but also with how rights and opportunities are communicated to the people they are intended to serve.
