Opeolu Akinola, the Executive Director of Disability Awareness and Development Initiative (DADI) has advised the government and other citizens to adopt universal design principles in physical infrastructure, digital platforms and services to enable persons of various abilities use them rather than the common condescending charity that only creates a feeling of superiority for the givers and leaes the beneficiary vulnerable.
He made this call in a press statement put together by DADI to commemorate International Day for Persons With Disabilites (IDPD).
DADI Congratulated all persons with Disabilities (PWD), their friends, families and all well-wishers as they celebrate the 2022 International Day for Persons with Disabilities on today December 3, with the theme, “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world”.
While noting that this day draws attention to the rights of Persons with Disabilities as the best way to ensure their inclusion in all life activities, the group called on the government at federal, state and local area levels to adhere to disability laws like the Lagos State Special People’s Law 2011 and the Discrimination against Persons with Disability (prohibition) Act 2018) as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in creating a conducive society for people of all abilities to participate and contribute equally towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Opeolu Akinola, who is a visually impaired accessibility expert advised government and other citizens to adopt universal design principles in physical infrastructure, digital platforms and services to enable persons of various abilities use them rather than the common condescending charity that only creates a feeling of superiority for the givers and leaes the beneficiary vulnerable.
He also prescribed creating a disaggregated database of PWDs as a priority step for planning disability-related interventions.
He went further to propose other recommendations which includes setting accessibility standards for roads and buildings, including accessibility in procurement regulations, consulting professionals when acquiring assistive technology and removing import duties on equipment meant for the use of persons with disabilities while supporting local production of such items.
Mr Akinola urged persons with disabilities to cease the available opportunities to acquire education and skills with which they can compete equally with their counterparts without disabilities and be productive as well as consciously participate in the electoral process to support candidates who empathize with them.
The group expressed their readiness to collaborate with government, corporate entities and persons with disabilities in promoting accessibility and inclusion in the country.
