The National Commission of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has partnered with United Nations in Nigeria and other stakeholders in setting up a Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group with the objective to advocate for total inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the society.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission of Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu disclosed this in Abuja during an event organized by British High Commission to mark the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group work to raise the voices of persons with disabilities through sharing personal stories, emerging issues, and policy recommendations towards achieving the SDGs in Nigeria.
James Lalu said” The NCPWD appreciates the British High Commissioner for her passion, support and commitment to disability in Nigeria. We always see you, Gill Atkinson as part of us in the disability community.
“The British Government have done a lot of investment in the area of disability inclusion in Nigeria. Through supports, grants and funding, the British government have supported various initiatives, NGOs and groups in ensuring inclusive process and partnership with NCPWD.
“For about 19 years, various groups and organizations have secured funding to advocated for the protection of the right and dignity of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Thankfully, today we have the law. We do not stop there, we have moved also to have a Commission. The struggle within the area of implementation of the disability act is still ongoing. As you may be aware, the law provide for 5 percent employment opportunity for PWDs, access to health, education and so forth.”
The ES spoke on the team of NCPWD readiness to commence enforcement from January, 2024. He therefore encouraged all organizations to ensure they comply with the act in order to avoid sanctions. Certificates of compliance will be issued to organizations and structures that meet the set minimal standards.
Moreover, Wunmi Laolu-Akande, Lead United Nations (UN) PWD Working Group spoke on the efforts to make the UN accessible to PWDs and building a disability friendly workforce and environment around the UN staff.
She said “Internally, we did an assessment of the UN house. We found out that the accessibility of the UN house for people with disability was not very good, and recommendations were made. We have actually started implementing some of these recommendations. I can tell you that right now, the UN parking facility has areas that are mapped for people that have wheelchairs. We have actually provided a ramp in our meeting room to ensure that when people are with disability, especially people with wheelchair facility come for meetings that they’re able to navigate and use our meeting rooms.
“We have also done training of UN staff to increase their knowledge and promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support internally for the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of UN staffs that are people with disabilities and when they are interfacing with PWDs communities during their work.
“Currently, we are working with the NCPWD to mark these years 2003 International Day of Peasants with Disability, with a renewed call for action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals with and by PWDs.
Other areas of collaboration will include conducting situation analysis report on people with disabilities in Nigeria that would serve as an advocacy tool for the government, developmental partners and other civil society partners, nationally and internationally.
“Additionally, we would also be conducting a workshop. It will be a multi stepholder workshop where capacity and knowledge will be valid to enable the people in the government, civil society, and other institutions understand better how to interact and deal with PWDs in Nigeria.
“The One UN Nigeria Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group, will continue to work with the government agencies, different organizations, and other institutions to continue to promote the right and well being of persons and disabilities with disabilities at every level of society and development and to raise awareness of the situation of presence with disability in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural line.
“Lastly, we want to commend the British High Commission for what they have done in the community here in Nigeria and what they will continue to do. And we want to let them know that UN is ready to work with British High Commission to continue to bring about the much needed change in the people with disability community in Nigeria.“
Inclusion Magazine
