by Chris Agbo
As Nigeria is battling COVID-19 pandemic and state governors have been adopting different preventive measures.
Anambra state Governor have not been found wanting in ensuring that his state that have not witnessed any case stay free from the virus. He has demonstrated this by ensuring that all state functionaries are on their top gear to ensure that Anambra state stays free from COVID-19.
His Special Adviser on Disabilities Matters, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie through a statement sent to us has recommended best practical measures to be adopted by persons with disabilities to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
Barrister Ezewuzie expressed fear that the virus will hit the disability community harder if the stakeholders fails to take necessary steps to help keep PWDs who are the most vulnerable group from being infected.
He said that the World Health organization (W.H.O) recommends “DO NOT TOUCH” as one of the measures to prevent contracting the highly contagious disease but unfortunately “do not touch” is not for the blind because it is through touching that the blind normally find the way, the hand is just the eyes of the blind so they must touch things around them.
In the issue of social distancing also recommended by WHO, it will be difficult to apply that on wheelchair user, if the person cannot afford motorized wheelchair, he or she must depend on personal care attendant (PCA) to push the wheelchair. The blind and a crutches users as a matter of necessity must hold unto staircase hand rails for support.
“It is obvious that the Deaf will not be able to hear the announcements, radio Jingles or community alerts to follow the campaign.
He proffered some measures that will best assist PWDs at this time, he said that the blind and all personal care attendants must imbibe the culture of washing of hands always and both of them must always wear hand gloves and face masks and the blind will be holding the guide’s shoulder to avoid holding hands or dragging with a stick.
He also said that the conventional practice of holding the guide’s elbow is now discouraged because “W.H.O” advised people to cough on their elbow.
The another challenge for the blind is fact that reading the Braille while wearing gloves will constitute a barrier. Volunteer readers are therefore needed to bridge this gap. Volunteer readers must maintain 6ft space between the reader and the blind.
He went to ensure the blind to utilize the computer based speech synthesizer for their reading when they are available.
“The personal care attendants on wearing gloves must also wear mask, while pushing the wheelchair and avoid touching the wheelchair.
He also said that family members of the Deaf person must explain the announcements and jingles to the deaf or call their attention to OGDM messages in sign language.
He advised that the Deaf should be mindful of members of the public touching them as a way of communicating with them but rather they should use eye contact communicate.
Deaf persons and sign language interpreters are advised to limit the frequency of touching their face when communicating or interpreting messages.
Families, offices and agencies should utilize the services of professional sign language interpreters employed by the state government.
He concluded by bringing to the notice of the public that Sign language interpreters and protective gloves are made available through of the office of the Governor on Disability Matters for those who may need them, courtesy of His Excellency Governor Wille Obiano, OGUGUA NDI OLUSI (The Comforter of persons with Disabilities).
