Makurdi, Benue State – September 11th, 2024 – Hope Alive Possibilities Initiative (HAPI) took a bold step in the ongoing fight for disability rights by organizing a pivotal media training aimed at transforming the narrative around disability in Benue State. The event, titled “Advancing Accessibility and Positive Disability Representation in the Media,” served as a key component of HAPI’s broader project to domesticate disability laws in the state, with support from the Disability Rights Fund.
The training, held in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, brought together media professionals to discuss and refine the ways in which disability issues are reported. In her opening remarks, Aver Akighir, the Executive Director of HAPI, highlighted the crucial role of the media in the advocacy for the domestication of disability law. She underscored the importance of holding this training at a time when the public’s understanding and perception of disability issues are increasingly shaped by the stories and language disseminated by the media.
“Correcting Misrepresentations: A Critical Task for the Media”
Akighir pointed out that media representations of persons with disabilities have too often relied on outdated terminology and harmful stereotypes. “The media is instrumental in shaping societal attitudes, and unfortunately, it has contributed to some misrepresentations of persons with disabilities. This training aims to change that by providing accurate, respectful, and inclusive ways to report on disability issues,” she explained.
Akighir also stressed that disability is a shared human concern. “Disability is everyone’s business. An inclusive society benefits all of us, especially when we remember that no one is immune from acquiring a disability at any stage in life,” she said, driving home the urgency for creating a society that does not marginalize or stigmatize persons with disabilities.
Her remarks took a sharp tone as she challenged the media to step up its coverage of disability issues in Benue State. “Too often, the focus is on the limitations of persons with disabilities rather than their potential, abilities, and contributions. It’s time to change that narrative and ensure that persons with disabilities are given the dignity and respect they deserve in media coverage,” she urged.
“A Call for Legislative Action”
The event also featured a goodwill message from Hon. Bemshima Anshe, the Personal Assistant on Special Needs to the Governor of Benue State. Anshe called out the state’s failure to enact a disability law, labeling it a “shameful” lag in progress, especially as Benue is the only state in the North Central region without such legislation.
“The media must stand with the disability community in Benue State in their quest to domesticate the disability law,” Anshe implored. He noted that public awareness of disability issues largely depends on how the media frames these issues. “What the public knows about persons with disabilities comes from you—the media. You have the power to change perceptions, challenge stereotypes, and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities through your reporting,” he emphasized.
“Changing the Narrative: Practical Tools for Media Practitioners”
The heart of the training was facilitated by Agbo Christian Obiora, the Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, a leading publication that advocates for disability rights. Obiora guided participants through an extensive session covering the fundamentals of disability-inclusive reporting. His training focused on the Concept of Disability, unpacking key ideas such as the different models of disability, the barriers persons with disabilities face, and the need for an inclusive mindset in reporting.
Obiora’s facilitation did not stop at theory; he shared practical tools that media professionals could apply immediately. This included using the right terminology, avoiding stereotypes, and steering clear of “inspiration porn”—the exploitative portrayal of persons with disabilities as objects of inspiration merely for living their lives. He also provided guidance on ethical considerations such as obtaining consent, safeguarding privacy, and building trust with the disability community.
“The media should engage experts with disabilities on various topics, not just those related to their disability. This not only increases visibility but also demonstrates the multifaceted contributions that persons with disabilities make to society,” Obiora stated. His message was clear: the media has a pivotal role in shifting public perception from seeing persons with disabilities through the lens of limitations to recognizing their capabilities, rights, and contributions.
“Takeaways for the Media: Representation with Respect”
Participants walked away from the training equipped with essential knowledge for disability-inclusive reporting. They learned how to avoid common pitfalls such as using inappropriate terminology, promoting harmful stereotypes, or focusing solely on the limitations of persons with disabilities. Instead, they were encouraged to focus their storytelling on the achievements, rights, and potentials of persons with disabilities, which will help foster a more inclusive and understanding society.
A participant at the training, who preferred to remain anonymous, reflected on the lessons learned. “This has really opened my eyes to how much harm we’ve been causing, even unintentionally, in our reporting. I’m walking away with a new understanding of how to report on disability in a way that is fair, respectful, and inclusive,” they shared.
The training wrapped up with a strong consensus among participants to use their platforms to advocate for the domestication of disability law in Benue State and to ensure that their reporting contributes to breaking down the societal barriers that persons with disabilities face daily.
A Movement Toward Inclusive Reporting
HAPI’s media training is one of many steps in the ongoing effort to promote disability rights and foster a society that respects and uplifts persons with disabilities. The project’s larger goal of domestication of the disability law in Benue State remains a critical issue, and with the media now armed with the tools to report accurately and inclusively, there is hope that the narrative around disability will continue to evolve in the right direction.
As Aver Akighir remarked, “The media is the mirror through which society views itself. Let’s ensure that the reflection includes everyone, especially persons with disabilities, and let’s make sure that reflection is both accurate and dignified.”
The challenge for media practitioners in Benue State is clear: it’s time to tell the full story of disability, one that highlights not just struggles but also strengths, talents, and the undeniable contributions that persons with disabilities bring to society.
