By Dami Lanre, TQM Correspondent, Lagos
LionHeart Ability Leaders International Foundation (LALIF), with support from Disability Right Fund organized a round table seminar with the theme “Operation Stop Usher Syndrome: Let’s give individuals with Deaf-Blindness in Lagos State a future.
LALIF has called for improved access to education for Persons with Usher Syndrome.
The Executive Director of LALIF, Mr. Solomon Okelola, called for the support from Health Practitioners, Educationists, Parents and the Government to play their role in addressing the challenges that People with Usher Syndrome face in the society.
Mr. Okelola said that the organization is aimed at building a diverse allied movement to ensure the Academic, Health and Social Inclusion of individuals with Usher Syndrome in Lagos State. He further explained that the education sector needs to be equipped to enable it provide for the needs of Persons with Deaf-Blindness so they are not left behind in the society.
Mr. Okelola further buttressed that individual with Deaf-Blindness can study whatever they wish to study in school, hence teachers need to be aware of the existence of this group of people and cater for their academic needs, and facilities be made available to cater for their needs so as to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
Speaking on ‘Usher Syndrome: The Silent Scourge’, Dr. Esther Oyefeso, Lecturer, Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan, said Usher Syndrome is a genetic condition, it is hereditary and it affects three major aspect of life which is Vision, Hearing and Balance.
According to her, many people are not aware of it, and urged parents of children with Usher Syndrome to seek early intervention as it could help the child to live a normal life, emphasizing that it does not have any treatment but can be managed.
Dr. Rasheed Abilu, Director, National Research Center for Disabled, Federal College of Education, Oyo State, while speaking on the Overwhelming and Overall impact of Deaf-Blindness explained that there is need to provide special units or schools for learners with Deaf-Blindness.
Dr. Rasheed called for the full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act so as to address some barriers faced by Persons with Deaf-Blindness. He also stressed the need for census to provide government with adequate data that can enable them establish inclusive schools for students with Deaf-Blindness so that these people are not left behind.
Abdulazeez Balogun, an Aeronatci Engineer believes that disability is not the problem of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), but some barriers which have made their disability more pronounced.
“Let’s begin to see PwDs as people who have dreams, goals and visions like every other persons in the society and we can be able to tap their potentials for national progress and transformation.” He added.
