Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has tasked media executives to consider disability inclusion in their broadcast and news production to promote inclusive practices, including the consistent utilization of sign language interpretation.
The Executive Director, IFA, Grace Jerry also called on the media to make deliberate efforts to conduct voter education that complements the efforts of organizations of persons with disabilities in promoting the participation of PWDs in Nigeria’s electoral and political processes.
While briefing the media on Thursday in Abuja at the Public Presentation of IFA’s 2023 general elections observation report, Grace also recommends more data driven engagements to ensure that Nigeria has an established and proven data of all eligible PWD voters in Nigeria.
According to her, the Vote-Ability Campaign commends all organizations working toward safer, more inclusive free and fair elections in Nigeria.
She said the campaign calls on these organizations to continue to engage with the disability community to ensure their efforts are inclusive and provide opportunities for PWDs to contribute to their work either as advisors to ensure a disability lens on their work or including PWDs as participants in activities.
She said, “it is evident that persons with disabilities want to participate in the electoral and political processes of Nigeria as indicated by their participation as both voters and observers during the general election.
“However, accessibility challenges, stigmas, and stereotypes continue to persist and undermine PWDs abilities to participate in electoral and political activities.
“The media should make deliberate efforts to conduct voter education that complements the efforts of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in promoting the participation of PWDs in Nigeria’s electoral and political processes”.
