by Ojoma Akor,
Experts working in the field of persons with disabilities, and education have called for effective implementation of the national policy on inclusive education.
They also called for the implementation of other international and national conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities in the country.
They made the call Sunday during this year’s Global Inclusive Education Virtual summer camp organised by Comprehensive Autism and related Disabilities Education and Training (C.A.D.E.T) Academy in partnership with the United Kingdom based Nessy Learning and Educational Company.
The theme of the programme was ‘Inclusive Education in a Post COVID-19 World: Challenges and Opportunities.’
The experts said doing so would address challenges affecting persons with disabilities including children with special needs.
Charles Abani, an international development professional and Nigerian-British Diplomat, said some of the challenges facing persons with disabilities in Nigeria include poor implementation of the disability bill, poor funding for inclusive education, welfarist approach to disability issues by family and policy makers, and low awareness about disability.
He said that if the country continued the welfarist model, it would continue to witness challenges attaining the Sustainable Development Goals related to disabilities.
The convener of the summer camp and Chief Executive Officer of C.A.D.E.T Academy and Dewdrops Community Centre for Special Needs, Lola Aneke, said she was willing to assist having challenges in inclusive education.
Prof. Temple Grandin, an American professor of Animal Science enjoined parents and care givers to work on developing things autistic children are good in.
