Abuja Association of the Deaf (AAD) has solicited the support of Chairman, House Of Representatives Committee On Disability Hon. Dr. Bashir Ayinla Dawodu to address the challenges faced by Deaf People.
The Chairman of the group, Ayoade Beiyoku-alase seek this support and intervention during an Advocacy visit to the office of the Chairman, House Committee Of Disability On Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Ayoade while appreciating Dr. Dawodu for granting them opportunity for the visit, expressed their concerns regarding the challenges faced by deaf individuals in our society.
“It is our hope that through this meeting, we can shed light on these issues and collaborate on finding immediate and effective solutions”.
“Deaf individuals in our community face numerous challenges that hinder their full participation in society. Despite the progress made in recent years, we still encounter barriers that prevent us from accessing education, employment opportunities, healthcare services, and social inclusion”.
Speaking further, he emphasized on the Communication barriers and discrimination which has remain pervasive issues that greatly affect the quality of their lives.
He then called on the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities to support and intervene to ensure that these challenges are addressed.
‘We respectfully request your support and intervention to address these challenges promptly. Your expertise and influence can help drive important policy changes and initiatives that will positively impact the lives of deaf individuals” he added.
“To ensure the rights and inclusion of deaf individuals, we propose the following solutions: Official recognition of Nigeria Sign-language (NSL): as the official language for the Deaf and hard of hearing in Nigeria: the recognition of Nigeria Sign-Language is the important step toward the realization of the rights of persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing and it is an indigenous language that constitutes an important element of Nigeria linguistic and cultural heritage. It has its own distinct grammatical structures and lexicon and it independent of any other language.
“Education: Enhance access to quality education for deaf children. Encourage the inclusion of sign language in school curriculums and support the training of teachers in deaf education.
“Employment: Advocate for inclusive hiring practices and promote vocational training opportunities for deaf individuals. Encourage employers to provide reasonable accommodations and ensure workplace accessibility.
Accessibilityy & Full Inclusion for Deaf People: Support the implementation of sign interpretation services in public spaces starting from House of Assembly so that we can an up to date of what is going on. Also, Work towards removing communication barriers and ensuring equal access to government services, healthcare facilities, and transportation”.
“Healthcare: Advocate for the provision of sign language interpreters in healthcare settings. Promote training programs for medical professionals to effectively communicate with deaf patients and ensure their access to quality healthcare services”.
“Awareness and Sensitization: Encourage awareness campaigns to foster an understanding of deaf culture and dispel stereotypes. Promote the rights and capabilities of deaf individuals through educational programs for the general public”.
The Chairman of the Abuja Association of the Deaf expressed unwavering commitment to actively contribute to the implementation of these solutions.
“We are ready to collaborate, provide insights, and share our experiences to ensure the successful realization of these initiatives”.
“We express our deepest appreciation for your attention to the challenges faced by deaf individuals. We believe that with your leadership and advocacy, we can create a society that embraces and supports our community fully”.
He appreciated Hon. Dr. Dawodu for his commitment in the promotion of the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
“We eagerly look forward to your support and the journey ahead to positively transform the lives of deaf individuals in our nation”.
Hon. Dr. Bashir Ayinla Dawodu in his response, commended the efforts of the group and reaffirmed the commitment of the Committee to do things differently to ensure that rights of PWDs are protected and promoted.
He also said that in his capacity as the Chairman of Disability Committee, he has proposed to the Speaker for the provision of sign language interpretation at the floor of House of Representatives so that Deaf Persons will follow and understand the proceedings.
He also informed the group that recently, he has moved motion at the floor of the house for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in Social Intervention Programmes . He also said that he is committed to improving the lives of PWDs and he is open for collaboration with organization to achieve it.
He said that he is engaging to improve Budget Allocation to the Disability Commission as well as other governmental programmes on disability.
