In a significant stride towards fostering inclusivity, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) orchestrated a pivotal one-day forum on January 31, 2024. The event, held in Imo State, aimed at engaging disability cluster leaders in an insightful discussion on agenda setting for disability inclusion in the new government.
Florence Attah, representing the CCD management, expressed the program’s strategic goal of influencing the government’s priorities, policies, and actions. The overarching objective is to transform Imo State into a more inclusive and equitable space for Persons with Disabilities.
The heart of the conversation revolved around the “Comprehensive Analysis of the Imo State Government Agenda and overall Disability Inclusion in the State.” Subsequently, disability cluster leaders participated in a breakout session, shedding light on the key priorities for Persons with Disabilities in the forthcoming government.
Commendations flowed for the Imo State Government, particularly for the appointment of a former Senior Special Assistant and Special Adviser on Disability Matters. Recognition was also extended for the construction of ramps and walkways around various parts of the State Secretariat, in addition to the celebration of “white cane day.”
The climax of the event saw participants collectively resolving that the Imo State Government should prioritize inclusive education for children with disabilities, domesticate the National Disability Law (2019), ensure accessible structures, inclusive healthcare delivery, and social services. Other key resolutions included advocating for a 5% quota system for employment opportunities and political appointments for Persons with Disabilities over the next four years.
Distinguished participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Information and Strategy and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups in Imo State, added gravity to the occasion. Also present were disability cluster heads, civil society organizations, and media representatives.
This groundbreaking initiative received support from the UK in Nigeria as a sub-grant from SituationRoom and was impeccably implemented by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
In fostering a more inclusive future, the forum laid down a roadmap for the Imo State Government to embark on meaningful initiatives that will enhance the lives of Persons with Disabilities across the state.
