by Loveth Obiora
The Albino Foundation (TAF) on Thursday 3rd December 2020 in Abuja organized a one day session with employers of labour on inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities to mark 2020 international day for persons with disabilities.
The project supported by Sightsavers is aimed at educating employers of labour in having a comprehensive understanding on the need for total inclusion of persons with disabilities in labour and accessibility of pwds in all aspect of employment.
The Executive Director, The Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle in his speech emphasized on the essence of this programme that is to educate the employers of labour in understanding the needs and challenges PWDS faces in work places, he further mentioned that the working environment should be made accessible and disability friendly, he further said disability can be in other parts of their body but not in their minds so persons with disabilities should not be seen as irrelevant or neglected in any form in the society rather they should see ability in them. He acknowledged some dignitaries such as Barr. Theophilus Odaudu, Program Officer, Disability Right Fund, Abdulmumuni Ujah Suleiman, Chairman, JONAPWD Abuja chapter, Mr. Rasak Adekoya, Program Officer at Sightsavers, the media partners such as NTA, AIT, Radio Nigeria, plus TV, The Qualitative Magazine(TQM) and also the PWDS for joining TAF to mark 2020 international day for persons with disabilities. He urged the media to take the message back to employers of labour that they will not relent in the advocacy, that they will continue to push forward until their voices are heard.
Barr. Theophilus Odaudu, in his goodwill message acknowledged TAF for efforts so far, he also said that it is a day that PWDS are celebrated for their achievements and also tell the world that a lot has been done yet it’s not enough so the media should help in advocating for persons with disabilities and help the society understand the challenges faced by PWDS.
Ujah Suleman speaking at the event celebrated TAF for their efforts to make sure PWDS are recognized in the society and he also encouraged the PWDS and urge them not to relent in their fight in making sure of total inclusion of PWDS Â in the society and world at large,
Rasak Adekoya from Sightsavers in his message said that a lot has been done by TAF but more needs to be done in the society for PWDS to ensure inclusion in all aspect of life in labour, health sector, education, society at large, he urged everybody not to relent in this fight until victory is achieved.
The overview of the National disability act was given by Barr. Rex Erameh and Building disability confidence of employers by Rasak Adekoya , questions was asked and several answers were given and PWDS shared their experiences in their workplaces and how they have been discriminated against, at the end, the organizers urged the media to pass their message across to ministries, employers labour and all other stakeholders.
SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT
