An Abuja-based NGO, Royal School of Educational Therapy Foundation (RSETF) has made a case for inclusion of persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities in societal functions including the entertainment industry.
The Founldation’s founder, Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, made the call during production of a movie titled; “Yes, We Can(Not a Burden” held in Abuja.
Adejugbe-Williams said that inclusion of persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities and some Nollywood and Hollywood celebrities in telling their stories in their own words, would demonstrate to the world that there is “ability in disability”.
She explained that the aim of the movie is to give voice to persons with developmental disabilities, foster their development and demonstrate to the world.
She noted that no matter the challenges, each person with disability had strengths and could learn and achieve if given the opportunity.
Adejugbe-Williams stressed that the project was directed and produced by a notable Nollywood director and producer, Amb. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen.
” The foundation having seen the need for inclusiveness and integration particularly of children living with disabilities with the belief that every person should be given every opportunity of academic excellence, talent development, and skill acquisition, has been empowering persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities with life and vocational skills.
” And quite a number of the children have been learning and thriving. So the foundation embarked on the development of a docudrama titled” Yes, We Can (Not a Burden)”.
Adejugbe-Williams, said the project was bound to give them hope and help change the narrative of actors with disabilities.
She also said that the project would hopefully bring an end to the systematic problem of exclusive practices in the entertainment industry worldwide and add to the advocacy for inclusiveness.
She said that the project was partly being funded by a grant from Voice Nigeria and sought for sponsors to cover post production cost as there are a lot of works that would involve. professionals
Adejugbe-Williams called for government’s support for other activities to benefit the students such as assistive tehcnology, communication devices, mobility equipment for online learning during this COVID-19 pandemic.
She expressed regret that students with disabilities are not benefiting from any of the government’s online learning activities during this time, saying they are not being accommodated in the curriculum and modalities for lesson delivery.
“Furthermore, they all need telepathy, which government has not provided for and they cannot afford.
“We also need support for our facility rental, staff’s welfare and operational needs”, she added.
Also, the director and producer, Amb. Lancelet Oduwa Imasuen (Guvnor)described the movie as the height of inclusiveness, adding that it breaks all records as the most challenging film project ever embarked upon.
” This is more than just a film, making these special people act along side other artistes was just the height of inclusiveness; they had their scripts, read their lines and equally delivered their lines.
” To me, as a filmmaker, this breaks all records as the most challenging film project ever embarked upon by me”
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that the movie features notable celebrities like Francis Duru, Empress Njama, Ali Nuhu, Paul Sambo, Fiona Garuba, Ngozi Ezeonu, Ivie Okujaye, and Fred Bright.
Edited By: Shittu Obassa/Sadiya Hamza (NAN)
